family history
noun
1
: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members
They have a family history of heart disease.
a family history of violence
2
: a record of one's ancestors
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.
Examples of family history in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The story loosely — very loosely — recalls part of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's family history: There's an aging patriarch at the twilight of his public career, an underestimated wife and two very different sons.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
The play examines the hunger to understand family history, the complexities of survival and the often-difficult truths that come with it.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
This is known as the atopic march, where people with a family history of allergies develop related conditions over time.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Mar. 2025
The diagnosis of Huntington’s disease is based on your family history, symptoms, physical examination, and genetic testing.5 Sometimes, other tests, such as blood or brain imaging, are ordered to help rule out other medical conditions.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Brittney Melton, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
The play examines the hunger to understand family history, the complexities of survival and the often-difficult truths that come with it.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
This is known as the atopic march, where people with a family history of allergies develop related conditions over time.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 28 Mar. 2025
The diagnosis of Huntington’s disease is based on your family history, symptoms, physical examination, and genetic testing.5 Sometimes, other tests, such as blood or brain imaging, are ordered to help rule out other medical conditions.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
Cite this Entry
“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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