ancestry

noun

an·ces·try ˈan-ˌse-strē

Synonyms of ancestry

: line of descent : lineage

especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent

: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

Examples of ancestry in a Sentence

They claim to be of noble ancestry. a person of unknown ancestry She claims to be able to trace her ancestry all the way back to the earliest settlers.

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.

For Ramapo’s scientists, finding a genetic match was made more challenging by Krusely’s Croatian and Yugoslavian ancestry. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Officials said Krusely, born in 1929, came from Croatian and Yugoslavian ancestry, making the case very challenging due to the low representation in accessible DNA databases. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Citing data from the Pew Research Center, a statement from the coalition noted that more than 50% of American Jews describe ancestry and culture as the core of being Jewish, while only 36% choose religion. — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 In 2016, a report accused the Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning Canadian fiction writer Joseph Boyden — who had claimed ancestry from Canadian First Nations groups — of lacking Indigenous heritage. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ancestry

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of ancestry was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

ancestrula

ancestry

anchialine

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestry. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ancestry

noun

an·ces·try ˈan-ˌses-trē

: line of descent

: one's ancestors

ancestry

noun

Synonyms of ancestry

Examples of ancestry in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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