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

The team says the molecular analysis indicates that the strains existed in a now-extinct variola virus lineage that bridges Old World European strains with its later variants. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

On top of that, the unknown lineage showed up in stretches of DNA that are almost devoid of Neanderthal and Denisovan genes—and which scientists had interpreted as uniquely our own. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

Your family lineage might be the key to unlocking access to dual citizenship. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Spend three days tasting reds from a wine region less than a decade old, riding a jet boat through a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon, and hearing Nez Perce history from people who trace their lineage back generations. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 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