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 prospect of highly sensitive genetic, ancestry and account information being sold to an unknown buyer who may use it in ways customers had not anticipated causes anxiety for some. —Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

This includes genetic information, biological DNA samples, health information, ancestry and genealogy information, personal contact information, payment and billing information, and other information, such as messages that genetic relatives can send each other through the platform. —ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025

These tests can teach users more about their ancestry or health. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

Familiar racial categories do a poor job of tracking ancestry and genetic variation. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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