pedigree

ped·i·gree | \ ˈpe-də-ˌgrē

How to pronounce pedigree (audio)

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Definition of pedigree

1 : a register recording a line of ancestors The pedigree traces the family back to the 18th century.

2a : an ancestral line : lineage That horse has an impressive pedigree.

b : the origin and the history of something Democracy's pedigree stretches back to ancient Greece. broadly : background, history

3a : a distinguished ancestry actions spoke louder than pedigrees in the trenches— Dixon Wecter

b : the recorded purity of breed of an individual or strain vouch for a horse's pedigree

Other Words from pedigree Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pedigree

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Examples of pedigree in a Sentence

That horse has an impressive pedigree. What is the dog's pedigree? The puppy came with papers proving its pedigree. Democracy is an idea with a pedigree stretching back to ancient Greece. The company has an excellent pedigree with over a century in the business.

Recent Examples on the Web Besides, there are some definite merits of academic pedigree. — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Looking for funding in India? VCs have a soft spot for the male, IIT-ian entrepreneur," 6 Jan. 2020 The Houston Astros’ Brandon Bailey, the Washington Nationals’ Sterling Sharp, and the Minnesota Twins’ Griffin Jax have some of the high-minors pedigree that could bode well for sticking in a rotation. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles could find rotation candidates in Rule 5 draft, which offers ‘a little more diverse group’," 12 Dec. 2019 In status-conscious Japan, a diploma from Todai is the ultimate pedigree — the equivalent of Harvard, Stanford and M.I.T. all rolled into one. — Motoko Rich, New York Times, "At Japan’s Most Elite University, Just 1 in 5 Students Is a Woman," 8 Dec. 2019 With more than 120 million records sold and 44 Grammy nominations between them, Blige and Nas brought quite the pedigree to Milwaukee, touching on more than 40 songs across two hours and 15 minutes. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mary J. Blige and Nas rule 'Royalty Tour' stop at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, playing more than 40 songs," 31 July 2019 Sadly, despite its name, Dr. Mario World — the upcoming mobile evolution of the original NES title — lacks the same pedigree, hewing closer to free-to-play mobile puzzlers like Candy Crush Saga. — Chaim Gartenberg, The Verge, "Dr. Mario World feels more like Candy Crush than the classic NES game," 8 July 2019 Job requirements often ask for credentials that that shut out those with the skills, but not the pedigree, to win the jobs. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—How to Share Benefits of the Digital Future With More People," 27 June 2018 The pedigree starts with Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "2018 Kia Stinger GT2: The Best German Car to Come Out of South Korea," 6 Apr. 2018 Coyle is more valuable as a puck-possessing center, able to hold the zone and distribute, but his size and pedigree made him the logical one to move up in the order. — BostonGlobe.com, "Hall’s name was front and center in Boston in the months leading to the June 2010 draft, when the Bruins owned the No. 2 pick. Hall went No. 1 to Edmonton and the Bruins were left with," 18 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pedigree.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near pedigree

pedigree theory

Statistics for pedigree

Last Updated

15 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pedigree.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedigree. Accessed 19 January 2020.

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More Definitions for pedigree

pedigree

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pedigree

: the history of the family members in a person's or animal's past especially when it is good or impressive

: the origin and history of something especially when it is good or impressive

See the full definition for pedigree in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pedigree

ped·i·gree | \ ˈpe-də-ˌgrē

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Kids Definition of pedigree

1 : a table or list showing the line of ancestors of a person or animal

2 : a line of ancestors

pedigree

ped·i·gree | \ ˈped-ə-ˌgrē

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Medical Definition of pedigree

: a record of the ancestry of an individual the pedigree of a diabetic patient

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WORD OF THE DAY

intercalate

to insert between existing elements

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