plural descendants
1
: someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past
One of the famous inventor's descendants is also an inventor.
Many people in this area are descendants of German immigrants.
2
: a plant or animal that is related to a particular plant or animal that lived long ago
Recent evidence supports the theory that birds are the modern descendants of dinosaurs.
3
: something that developed from another thing that was made or existed earlier
The Italian language is one of Latin's descendants.
Cite this Entry
“Descendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/descendant. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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