ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌse-strē 

1

: line of descent : lineage

especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent

2

: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

Synonyms of ancestry

• lineage
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree
• descent
• family
• breeding

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

This practice started among communities with northern ancestry but became the norm after the two communities came together. —Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2026

In this collection of personal essays, keim explores estrangement from family in parallel to estrangement from land and ancestry. —Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

Cantens, who is American of Cuban ancestry, is fluent in English and Spanish. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

Millions of Americans are pursuing Canadian citizenship after a law that took effect in December made the process significantly easier for people with Canadian ancestry, prompting immigration lawyers on both sides of the border to report a surge in applications. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌses-trē 

1

: line of descent

2

: one's ancestors