pedigree

noun

ped·​i·​gree ˈpe-də-ˌgrē How to pronounce pedigree (audio)
1
: a register recording a line of ancestors
The pedigree traces the family back to the 18th century.
2
a
: 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
3
a
: a distinguished ancestry
actions spoke louder than pedigrees in the trenchesDixon Wecter
b
: the recorded purity of breed of an individual or strain
vouch for a horse's pedigree
pedigreed adjective
or pedigree

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 For subscribers:Restaurant of the Year Alpino brings a foreign, yet familiar cuisine to Detroit No. 1: Coeur, Ferndale Chef Jordan Smith’s ambition to present a no-frills establishment is no indication of a bashful pedigree. Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 But Spoelstra is excited to add a player with Mills’ experience and winning pedigree to the roster in the final weeks of the regular season. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Formal educational requirements are unlikely to disappear entirely from job postings, especially in areas like healthcare and engineering, which necessitate more specialized skills, but the jobs that could be learned during an extended onboarding are likely to prioritize potential over pedigree. Jane Thier, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 That estate boasts an impressive pedigree: Bernhard originally acquired it from actress Meg Ryan, and the lavish property was once also owned by fellow actress and noted architecture aficionado Diane Keaton. James McClain, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 That meant enlisting friends and staffers with their same pedigree and ideals to run. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Diplomas and pedigree have long been a proxy for competence, intelligence, and social skills. Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Valencia, California Located just 30 minutes from most of the major Hollywood studios, CalArts boasts quite the pedigree, launching the careers of fashion icons Edith Head and Bob Mackie when the school was known as the Chouinard Art Institute. Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 Superstar athletes like Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley have been leading the way with their winning performances and championship pedigrees. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pedegru, from Anglo-French pé de grue, literally, crane's foot; from the shape made by the lines of a genealogical chart

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedigree was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pedigree

Cite this Entry

“Pedigree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedigree. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pedigree

noun
ped·​i·​gree ˈped-ə-ˌgrē How to pronounce pedigree (audio)
1
: a table or list showing the line of ancestors of a person or animal
2
: an ancestral line : lineage
3
: purity of breed recorded by a pedigree
pedigreed adjective

Medical Definition

pedigree

noun
ped·​i·​gree ˈped-ə-ˌgrē How to pronounce pedigree (audio)
: a record of the ancestry of an individual
the pedigree of a diabetic patient

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