lineage

noun lin·e·age \ ˈli-nē-ij also ˈli-nij \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of lineage

1 a : 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

See lineage defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of lineage from the Web

Associated Press Good lineage: Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon's son Miles, 25, is new at this acting thing.

— benjamin oreskes, latimes.com, "Essential California: A renewed vision for The Times," 13 Apr. 2018
The lineage — from Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw to Justin Leonard to Spieth — is impressive, though Ghim won’t back down from trying to rise to those heights.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Ghim may be UT’s next golf star," 11 Apr. 2018
As a way to honor the family lineage, McIntyre's father named his newborn son Francis Pettygrove McIntyre.

— tom hallman jr., OregonLive.com, "A Pettygrove takes eternal rest in the city his family built: Tom Hallman," 19 Jan. 2018
Thrones was rife with clandestine alliances, brothels, interwoven royal lineages, giants, dragons and Dothraki.

— john walters, Newsweek, "How ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ Became the Same Show," 12 Oct. 2017
He's been in the business five decades, and his family wrestling lineage is even longer.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Col. Rob Parker, Dirty Blondes and Simon Gotch Talk Major League Wrestling and more," 11 July 2018
Similarly, a lintel uncovered during the excavation explores the lineage of another woman of high rank, Adatalabe, who counts a royal prince among her blood line.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Large Cache of Texts May Offer Insight Into One of Africa’s Oldest Written Languages," 13 Apr. 2018
Plus, in the books, an additional prophesy from a woods witch claims that the PTWP would be in the lineage of Aerys and Rhaella Targaryen, who are Dany’s parents.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "14 Game of Thrones Theories That Will Blow Your Mind in Season 7," 23 Aug. 2017
Nodding to his Louisiana upbringing and artistic lineage, Batiste played familiar numbers from the likes of Fats Domino and Ray Charles.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 10: Kip Moore, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Phantogram & more," 7 July 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.

First Known Use of lineage

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

lineage Synonyms

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

lineage

noun line·age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

LINEAGE Defined for English Language Learners

lineage

noun

Definition of lineage for English Language Learners

: the people who were in someone's family in past times

LINEAGE Defined for Kids

lineage

noun lin·eage \ ˈli-nē-ij \

Definition of lineage for Students

1 : the ancestors from whom a person is descended

2 : people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Dictionary

lineage

noun lin·e·age \ ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij \

medical Definition of lineage

1 : descent in a line from a common progenitor

2 : a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor

replication in T cell lineages

Learn More about lineage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lineage Spanish Central: Translation of lineage Nglish: Translation of lineage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lineage for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lineage

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lineage

Definition of lineage

Recent Examples of lineage from the Web

First Known Use of lineage

lineage Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Related Words

Other Genetics Terms

lineage

less common spelling of linage

LINEAGE Defined for English Language Learners

lineage

Definition of lineage for English Language Learners

LINEAGE Defined for Kids

lineage

Definition of lineage for Students

Medical Dictionary

lineage

medical Definition of lineage

Learn More about lineage

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