ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: 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.
Restoring the roof would also enlist skilled carpenters, stone workers and artisans trained in ancestral techniques with roots in French and European history. Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024 The principle emotion during that celebration was gratitude that finally tribes had triumphed in the effort to restore their ancestral lands, and hope that the next phase is going to go just as well. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 As the first Italian American to serve as first lady, Biden has included a visit to her ancestral hometown of Gesso, a small Sicilian village where her father's family has its roots, as part of her itinerary. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 The land, which is about 40 miles from the 40 Acre Conservation League’s property and was once owned by a Quaker school, will be developed for housing for elders and facilities to cultivate ancestral crops and traditional medicine. Michelle Weber, Longreads, 4 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near ancestral

Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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