lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij 

also ˈli-nij

1

a

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

b

: derivation

… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.

—Colleen Barry

2

: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor

especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms of lineage

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• breeding

Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his Italian lineage was very important to him

it is now generally accepted that the lineage of Thomas Jefferson includes black as well as white members

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Owens learned this through personal experience, as well as through the wisdom teachings of his Buddhist lineage. — Casper Ter Kuile, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026

For the most part, Nike keeps the classic models from its seemingly limitless Air Max lineage separated, allowing sneakers such as the Air Max 90 and Air Max 95 to have their own unique identities and signature colorways. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Some ancestral lineages diverged roughly 21,000 years ago, according to the review. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Say Now joins an extensive lineage of British girl groups — from Spice Girls, Sugababes, and Girls Aloud to Little Mix and their more contemporary peers Flo. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​eage

ˈlin-ē-ij

1

: the ancestors from whom a person is descended

2

: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​e·​age

ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij

1

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

2

: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor

replication in T cell lineages