ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
Synonyms of ancestralnext
: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor
ancestral estates
ancestrally
an-ˈse-strə-lē How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

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 homes had gardens filled with all manner of trees—papaya, mango, almond, rubber, jackfruit, and my beloved neem, which also grew outside my grandparents’ home in my ancestral village. — Amitava Kumar, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025 Our resistance is fueled by our resilience and ancestral strength, keeping us rooted in culture, and remaining focused in what the mission is. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 Turkey has carried out airstrikes in Sinjar, Iraq, the ancestral home of the Yezidis, every single year since 2017. — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 Below is a list of the best countries to consider for ancestral citizenship. — Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ancestral

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancestral was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing ancestral

Rhymes for ancestral

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Browse Nearby Words

ancestral
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Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective
an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor
ancestral home
ancestrally
-trə-lē How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ancestral

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ancestral

Nglish: Translation of ancestral for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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