genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē 

also

-ˈa-lə- 

 also  ˌje-nē-

plural genealogies

1

: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms

2

: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1) or older form : pedigree

3

: the study of family ancestral lines

4

: an account of the origin and historical development of something

genealogical

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌje-nē-

adjective

genealogically

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌje-nē-

adverb

Synonyms

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

Examples of genealogy in a Sentence

They've been researching their genealogies.

has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror

Recent Examples on the Web

Assisting with the high-profile case, the FBI used an advanced forensic technique called investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG, with the knife sheath DNA to initially land on Kohberger as the suspect in late December 2022, prosecutors previously said. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2025

Authorities used investigative genetic genealogy – or IGG – a field of forensic science combining DNA analysis with genealogical research, to connect that sample to Kohberger’s family, prosecutors have said. —Jean Casarez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025

Taylor tried to portray the investigative genetic genealogy evidence, or IGG, as improperly left out of the probable cause affidavit used to justify several warrants in the case, including her client's arrest and multiple searches. —Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025

Come meet fellow genealogy buffs and learn about the North San Diego County Genealogical Society and the Cole Library Genealogy Division. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English genealogie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin genealogia, from Greek, from genea race, family + -logia -logy; akin to Greek genos race

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for genealogy

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌjen-ē- 

-ˈal-

plural genealogies

1

: the line of ancestors of a person or family or a history of such a line of ancestors

2

: the study of family lines of ancestors

genealogical

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

ˌjen-ē-

adjective

genealogically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

genealogist

-ˈäl-ə-jəst

-ˈal-

noun