ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
Synonyms of ancestralnext
: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor
ancestral estates
ancestrally adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For reasons moral, pragmatic, and perhaps mostly ancestral, the next black presidency will have to think bigger. Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 The Order is celebrated each year with a procession and service on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the British royal family's ancestral home. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026 Carney visited his family’s ancestral village of Aghagower, Ireland, earlier Sunday. Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026 From a new return-to-office policy, to an indigenous tribe reclaiming ancestral land, here’s a roundup of the top Sacramento Bee stories from this past week. Ruyuan Li. Summary Produced By Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestral

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancestral was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective
an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor
ancestral home
ancestrally adverb

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