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

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

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 film comes with strong festival pedigree, having received the SGIFF Short Film Fund and the Singapore Momo Distribution Grant. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025

Such is the appeal of the new Chinese restaurant on 79th Street Causeway, a stylish but comfortable spot hidden within a modest property, with a startling culinary pedigree and a menu that may challenge your idea of what a neighborhood Chinese restaurant should be. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025

Focusing on merit, demonstrated ability and potential, rather than educational pedigree or years of experience in the field, also contributes to increasingly diverse applicant pools. —Josh Millet, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Inside, 94 rooms blend political pedigree with the area’s natural scenery. —Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 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