1
: linear
2
: composed of or arranged in lines
3
a
: consisting of or being in a direct male or female line of ancestry compare collateral sense 2
b
: relating to or derived from ancestors : hereditary
c
: descended in a direct line
4
a
: belonging to one lineage
lineal relatives
b
: of, relating to, or dealing with a lineage
Examples of lineal in a Sentence
He claims that he is a lineal descendent of a famous military hero.
Recent Examples on the Web
In his professional boxing debut, Ngannou dropped Fury and lost a close decision to the lineal champion.
—
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The Cherokee Nation, one of the two largest Native groups in the United States, will accept anyone who can prove some lineal descent in specific records.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Each tribe determines its own enrollment, but a common requirement is lineal descendancy from someone on the tribal roll.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
Eager to ditch the heretical Treaty of Moscow, his negotiators produced New START — the lineal descendant of two earlier SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) and three START agreements — which entered into force in February 2011 for ten years, extendable once for five more.
—John R. Bolton, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lineal 
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The Cherokee Nation, one of the two largest Native groups in the United States, will accept anyone who can prove some lineal descent in specific records.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024
Each tribe determines its own enrollment, but a common requirement is lineal descendancy from someone on the tribal roll.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
Eager to ditch the heretical Treaty of Moscow, his negotiators produced New START — the lineal descendant of two earlier SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) and three START agreements — which entered into force in February 2011 for ten years, extendable once for five more.
—John R. Bolton, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lineal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lineal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lineal
Cite this Entry
“Lineal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineal. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
lineal
adjective
lin·e·al
ˈli-nē-əl 
: consisting of or being in a direct male or female line of ancestry
a lineal descendant
compare collateral sense 2
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