pedigree

noun

ped·​i·​gree ˈpe-də-ˌgrē 

1

: a register recording a line of ancestors

The pedigree traces the family back to the 18th century.

2

a

: an ancestral line : lineage

That horse has an impressive pedigree.

b

: the origin and the history of something

Democracy's pedigree stretches back to ancient Greece.

broadly : background, history

3

a

: a distinguished ancestry

actions spoke louder than pedigrees in the trenches

—Dixon Wecter

b

: the recorded purity of breed of an individual or strain

vouch for a horse's pedigree

pedigreed

ˈpe-də-ˌgrēd 

adjective

or pedigree

Synonyms

• lineage
• ancestry
• genealogy
• breeding
• origin

Examples of pedigree in a Sentence

That horse has an impressive pedigree.

What is the dog's pedigree?

The puppy came with papers proving its pedigree.

Democracy is an idea with a pedigree stretching back to ancient Greece.

The company has an excellent pedigree with over a century in the business.

Recent Examples on the Web

The move marks a new chapter for Miami real estate, offering buyers access to the same bespoke service and design pedigree that has defined Harrods for over 175 years. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2025

The battle pitted a pair of NBA centers with All-Star pedigree against each other. —Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

And though Stewart has been a Cannes mainstay for nearly a decade, the film was well-reviewed, and Stewart’s star power is as strong as ever, even movies with that pedigree manage to sit on the shelf. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2025

For a player with the pedigree of St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf, offseason adjustments are often more of the fine-tuning variety rather than wholesale changes. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pedegru, from Anglo-French pé de grue, literally, crane's foot; from the shape made by the lines of a genealogical chart

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pedigree

noun

ped·​i·​gree ˈped-ə-ˌgrē 

1

: a table or list showing the line of ancestors of a person or animal

2

: an ancestral line : lineage

3

: purity of breed recorded by a pedigree

pedigreed

-ˌgrēd 

adjective

Medical Definition

pedigree

noun

ped·​i·​gree ˈped-ə-ˌgrē 

: a record of the ancestry of an individual

the pedigree of a diabetic patient