genealogy

noun

ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
also
-ˈa-lə- How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
also ˌje-nē-
plural genealogies
Synonyms of genealogy
1
: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms
2
: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1) or older form : pedigree
3
: the study of family ancestral lines
4
: an account of the origin and historical development of something
genealogical
ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
ˌje-nē-
adjective
genealogically
ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
ˌje-nē-
adverb

Synonyms of genealogy

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Examples of genealogy in a Sentence

They've been researching their genealogies. has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror
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.
The deputy had previously tried to pursue genetic genealogy through one grant process, but the results didn’t pan out. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 The Milford Public Library serves both village and township residents and maintains special collections on autism, genealogy and the Civil War, as well as microfilmed editions of the Milford Times dating to the newspaper’s inception. — Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Students who had completed Ramapo’s investigative genetic genealogy certificate program volunteered to research the case and identified Krusely as a candidate in December 2025, according to the college. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has emerged as a powerful tool in cold cases, allowing investigators to trace family connections from DNA evidence and identify people who may otherwise have remained unknown. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for genealogy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English genealogie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin genealogia, from Greek, from genea race, family + -logia -logy; akin to Greek genos race

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for genealogy

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Browse Nearby Words

genealogizer
genealogy
genecologic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genealogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genealogy. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

genealogy

noun
ge·​ne·​al·​o·​gy ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce genealogy (audio) ˌjen-ē- How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
-ˈal-
plural genealogies
1
: the line of ancestors of a person or family or a history of such a line of ancestors
2
: the study of family lines of ancestors
genealogical
ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
ˌjen-ē-
adjective
genealogically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce genealogy (audio)
adverb
genealogist
-ˈäl-ə-jəst, 
-ˈal-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on genealogy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genealogy

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