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 Mother, of course, is white with good ancestry and Belle inherits brains & ability. —Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

Does reading about one of the most common birds on the planet sharing ancestry with a fearsome predator like the Tyrannosaurus rex reinforce a belief that animals are just as fascinating as humans? —Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Brands that create a hearty narrative that encapsulates homage to ancestry and look to the future of legacy are what attract the stylist’s keen eye. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 Dec. 2024

Virgo Check in with your brood or look up your family tree to get details on your ancestry. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

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