patrilineal

adjective

pat·​ri·​lin·​eal ˌpa-trə-ˈli-nē-əl How to pronounce patrilineal (audio)
: relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the paternal line
a patrilineal society

Examples of patrilineal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Name extinction is also a naturally occurring phenomenon called the Galton-Watson process, which posits that in patrilineal societies, surnames are lost or die out over time with each new generation as women take on their husbands’ surnames. Chris Lau, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024 Of the 1291 populations defined in the 2019 study, 590 were patrilineal. Eliza Anyangwe and Melissa Mahtani, CNN, 3 Aug. 2023 The individual variability was also much higher in the patrilineal society, for both genders. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2011 This patrilineal bloodline ends with Tate Dutton. Joshua St. Clair, Men's Health, 5 Feb. 2023 This observation suggests that the main patrilineal expansion in China occurred in the Neolithic Era and might be related to the development of agriculture. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2013 The Targaryens — the dynasty famed for its flying fire-breathers, insanity-inducing inbreeding, excessive vowel usage and unfortunate ice-blond coiffure — have ruled the Seven Kingdoms for a century, but the premature deaths of its princes keep disrupting the plans for patrilineal continuity. Inkoo Kang, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 They are subdivided into smaller patrilineal units, as well as territorial sections. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2011 The Dutton family, while kept together by its matriarchs (all Dutton spouses appear to outlast their husbands—with the exception of Evelyn), is patrilineal. Joshua St. Clair, Men's Health, 5 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patrilineal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patrilineal was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near patrilineal

Cite this Entry

“Patrilineal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patrilineal. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

patrilineal

adjective
pat·​ri·​lin·​eal ˌpa-trə-ˈlin-ē-əl How to pronounce patrilineal (audio)
: relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the paternal line
patrilineal society
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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