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

From $8,300 Brothers Giuliano and Francesco Fuga have glassmaking in their blood, a lineage that dates to the mid-19th century. —Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2026

The present dispute sits squarely in that lineage. —Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

While medieval goats exhibited more varied genetic profiles—suggesting diverse trade in skins through ports such as Carrickfergus—the core lineage persisted until the modern era. —Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026

Alna shows there were very small alvarezsaurs without an insect-eating specialization, and that size reduction evolved multiple times in this lineage, Apesteguía said. —Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 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