Lineage
/ˈlɪniɪdʒ/
Definitions
Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree.
/ˈlɪniɪdʒ/
Direct descent from an ancestor.
The family's lineage was of noble descent, traced back to a medieval king.
💡 Simply: Imagine a family tree that goes way, way back. Lineage is like following that tree to see who your great-great-grandparents were and how they're related to you.
👶 For kids: It's like a family's family tree, telling you where you came from.
More Examples
He was proud of his Irish lineage.
Researchers use DNA analysis to understand the lineage of various animal species.
How It's Used
"The royal lineage can be traced back to the 12th century."
"She researched her family's lineage to discover her ancestors."
"The ancient lineage of the gods was a recurring theme in the epic poems."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
trace one's lineage
To research and discover one's ancestry.
"She spent years tracing her lineage back to the Mayflower."
From Middle English *linage*, from Old French *lignage* ('family, descent'), from *ligne* ('line'), ultimately from Latin *linea* ('line').
The word 'lineage' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a family or race.
Memory tip
Think of a line stretching back through generations.
Word Origin
"line"