lineage

noun (1)

lin·e·age | \ ˈli-nē-ij also ˈli-nij

Definition of lineage

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : descent in a line from a common progenitor

b : derivation the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960s— Erik Larson

2 : a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

noun (2)

line·age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about lineage

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Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The latter was not as closely related to the Siberian Denisovan lineage. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Might Have Discovered a New Human Ancestor With DNA Analysis," 12 Apr. 2019 Like the senator, Mr. Mitchell’s family lineage was orally passed from generation to generation. — Joshua Jamerson, WSJ, "Sen. Elizabeth Warren Officially Enters 2020 Presidential Race," 9 Feb. 2019 The tree’s lineage is believed to go back to the weeping willow that, as legend goes, Napoleon would sit beneath after the French emperor was exiled in 1815 to the far-off island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. — Erik Lacitis, The Seattle Times, "‘It has a story to tell’: How a descendant of Napoleon’s willow tree took root on a Seattle hillside," 30 Oct. 2018 When Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed in 1918, rumors swirled that his daughter, Anastasia, had secretly escaped, spawning conspiracy theories that the family lineage continues. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Watch the First Full Trailer for The Romanoffs, Matthew Weiner's First Series Since Mad Men," 14 Aug. 2018 The Barrymore family’s acting lineage goes back to the 19th century; its history with addiction goes back nearly as far. — New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Drew Barrymore’s ‘Little Girl Lost’," 15 May 2018 On one side, Felipe VI can trace his lineage to Victoria back through his father. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Queen Victoria's Descendants Still Reign Over Europe," 17 Feb. 2019 Public unions, especially teachers unions, can trace their lineage back to professional associations (well before the expansion of state-level public union rights in the 1960s and 1970s). — Alexander Hertel-fernandez And Ethan Porter, Vox, "How teachers unions can survive," 17 July 2018 In turn, Washington’s environmental establishment determined that no future agreement would be acknowledged as a treaty for U.S. purposes, regardless of the pact’s terms, lineage or U.S. custom and practice. — WSJ, "The Senate Cedes Its Authority on Climate," 26 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lineage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.