ancestry
noun
an·ces·try
ˈan-ˌse-strē 
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
The genealogical tent provides a place for people of Scottish descent to explore their ancestry and a place for all to learn more about history.
—
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
And her mother, who is still a working actor, is from a Jewish background with Polish ancestry.
—Louis Staples, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
Dozens of people have been charged in connection with the investigation, with many being of Somali ancestry, according to federal prosecutors.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
Hollywood couple Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors received Guinean citizenship after tracing their ancestry to the West African country through DNA testing.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ancestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestry. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
ancestry
noun
an·ces·try
ˈan-ˌses-trē
1
: line of descent
2
: one's ancestors
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