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 gun's direct lineage is in the 1960s

—Erik Larson

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

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• breeding
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• genealogy
• line
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock
• strain

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

Asia-Pacific regions often prioritize ownership lineage and distinguished provenance. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

While rich with commentary on America and country’s Black roots, the show was also a sweet celebration of Beyoncé’s own lineage. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025

Hwang views the film as part of Korea’s evolving crime genre lineage. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025

The team reconstructed the crocodilian family tree and placed Deinosuchus on a lineage that split off before the last common ancestor of modern alligators and crocodiles. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

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