lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij 

also ˈli-nij

1

a

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

b

: derivation

… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.

—Colleen Barry

2

: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor

especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms of lineage

Noun (1)

• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• breeding

Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Noun (1)

his Italian lineage was very important to him

it is now generally accepted that the lineage of Thomas Jefferson includes black as well as white members

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That lineage alone demanded more than a modest refresh. —Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026

Their lineage stretches across generations and includes the Escobar and Garcia names, among others. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026

The 46-year-old leader at Ryosokuin Temple was born into a lineage of Zen monks, and started sharing his practice with companies and their staffers back in 2012. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026

Nadege Anelka, a travel agent from the French overseas territory of Martinique in the Caribbean, moved to Benin and became a citizen under a 2024 law granting citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​eage

ˈlin-ē-ij

1

: the ancestors from whom a person is descended

2

: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun

lin·​e·​age

ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij

1

: descent in a line from a common progenitor

2

: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor

replication in T cell lineages