parentage

noun

par·​ent·​age ˈper-ən-tij 

1

a

: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage

a person of noble parentage

b

: derivation, origin

a tradition of uncertain parentage

2

: parenthood

Synonyms of parentage

• ancestry
• lineage
• origin
• pedigree
• breeding

Examples of parentage in a Sentence

they were pleased that their son's girlfriend was of good parentage

Recent Examples on the Web

On the one hand, Lady Penwood has tormented Sophie since her father’s death, denying her parentage, forcing her into servitude, and working her to the bone. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026

All occupation children, all of mixed-race parentage and a result of war. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026

Austerlitz is an architectural historian but adrift in that his true identity—that is, his Jewish identity, his parentage, and his native language—have been hidden from him most of his life. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025

Temptation arrives in the form of a mysterious stranger (Isla Johnston), who tries to sow doubt about the identity of Jesus’ real parentage, as a conflict grows between the son and his carpenter father Joseph. —Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, from parent parent entry 1 + -age -age

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

parentage

noun

par·​ent·​age ˈpar-ənt-ij 

ˈper-

: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage