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.
Newsom promised to help a Native tribe restore sacred salmon to their ancestral river. Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, niche perfume brand Maison Louis Marie offers several scent options, including Bois de Balincourt (an intoxicating woody scent), inspired by the founder’s ancestral French countryside home. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026 But, for many American Jews, Zionism has come to represent the belief that there should be such a home—both because of the Jewish people’s ties to their ancestral land and because of the centuries of persecution that Jews endured, culminating with the Holocaust. Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 Most recently, the area’s Hmong, Vietnamese, and Laotian populations have begun opening dynamic Southeast Asian restaurants that offer creative spins on ancestral dishes. David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 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 7 Apr. 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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