lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij How to pronounce lineage (audio)
 also  ˈli-nij
1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960sErik Larson
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The experience includes an exploration of the world’s longest lineage of single-vintage wines dating to 1878. Paula Conway, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 As the first true dinosaurs emerged, some remained omnivorous, while early predecessors of the Allosaurus and T. rex lineage began to hunt insects and fish. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024 But a better way to understand his appeal is to situate him, with Graham, in a long lineage of American wellness figures waging a battle against conventional medicine. Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024 This partnership echoes Ferrari's past support for newcomers such as Haas, who is a satellite team of the Scuderia. Cadillac, representing an American lineage in an evolving F1 landscape, aims to become the first new team added to the grid since 2016. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lineage 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lineage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lineage

Cite this Entry

“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lineage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!