ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌse-strē 

1

: line of descent : lineage

especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent

2

: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

Synonyms

• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• breeding
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• genealogy
• line
• lineage
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock
• strain

Examples of ancestry in a Sentence

They claim to be of noble ancestry.

a person of unknown ancestry

She claims to be able to trace her ancestry all the way back to the earliest settlers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The only reason to invoke such a power is to try to enable sweeping detentions and deportations of Venezuelans based on their ancestry, not on any gang activity that could be proved in immigration proceedings. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions of Americans regardless of their ancestry. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025

So how do the diets of humans compare with the diets of chimpanzees and other great apes, given our common ancestry? —Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Her ancestry includes a portion of bloodhound, another of black-and-tan hound, and just a dash of bluetick. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌses-trē 

1

: line of descent

2

: one's ancestors