lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij 

also ˈli-nij

1

a

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

b

: derivation

… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.

—Colleen Barry

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

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms of lineage

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• breeding

Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his Italian lineage was very important to him

it is now generally accepted that the lineage of Thomas Jefferson includes black as well as white members

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her study of diasporic poetry in translation, career in privacy engineering, and journey across the US leave her uniquely situated to address the intersections and evolution of identity, whether through lineage, made families, or an ever-modernizing hometown and homeland. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026

Yet Diana chose to honor her own family’s lineage instead. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026

He was born into the Ndongo royal lineage in the Kingdom of Kongo, where many had adopted Catholicism. —Laurent Dubois, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

There was much more to Tatiana than her celebrated lineage. —Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​eage

ˈlin-ē-ij

1

: the ancestors from whom a person is descended

2

: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​e·​age

ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij

1

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

2

: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor

replication in T cell lineages