ancestor

noun

an·​ces·​tor ˈan-ˌse-stər 

 also  -sə-

1

a

: one from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent

Her ancestors came to America in the 1880s.

b

: forefather sense 2

2

: forerunner, prototype

an exhibit of the ancestors of the modern computer

3

: a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1b) of a more recent or existing species or group

the ancestor of the modern horse

Synonyms

• father
• forebear
• forbear
• forebearer
• forefather
• grandfather
• primogenitor
• progenitor

Examples of ancestor in a Sentence

My ancestors came to America during the 1800s.

Her ancestors were great sea captains.

an ancient animal that was the ancestor of the modern horse

The museum included an exhibit showing ancestors of the modern computer.

several languages that are derived from a common ancestor

Latin is the ancestor of Italian and French.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vallée de Farney is a nature preserve located in the untouched forests of Mauritius—where the founder’s ancestor was exiled during the French Revolution. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Eisenberg wanted to convey the irony of yearning to connect with your ancestors’ pain while being unwilling to experience — or even confront — any discomfort while doing so. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

For this one to be about, for her to be charged, even by her ancestors, with the future of her people on her shoulders. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024

The impulse to hold on to a memory is almost primal—think of ancestors drawing on cave walls or telling stories around a fire. —Erin Sagen, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ancestre, from Anglo-French, from Latin antecessor predecessor, from antecedere to go before, from ante- + cedere to go

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing ancestor

• ancestor worship

Kids Definition

ancestor

noun

an·​ces·​tor ˈan-ˌses-tər 

1

: one from whom an individual, group, or species is descended

2

: something from which something else has developed : forerunner

Etymology

Middle English ancestre "ancestor," from early French ancestre (same meaning), from Latin antecessor "one that goes before," derived from earlier antecedere "to go before," from ante- "before" and cedere "to go, yield" — related to concede, predecessor

Legal Definition

ancestor

noun

an·​ces·​tor

1

a

: a person from whom an individual is descended : ascendant

b

: a person from whom an estate descends compare heir

2

: one that precedes

ancestor in title