lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij How to pronounce lineage (audio)
 also  ˈli-nij
Synonyms of lineagenext
1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960s— Erik Larson
2
: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor
especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

Synonyms

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of lineage in a Sentence

Noun (1) his Italian lineage was very important to him it is now generally accepted that the lineage of Thomas Jefferson includes black as well as white members
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.
Noun
Scientifically known as Otodus megalodon, the Neogene-era shark is estimated to have reached lengths of 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 meters) and once belonged to a lineage of sharks that evolved during the Cenozoic era, becoming increasingly specialized for preying on and scavenging marine mammals. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 Hartley, the son of a late Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, has a long lineage of family members who served in uniform, a fact Trump highlighted during his speech before letting Hartley know of the news of his acceptance. — Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025 Professor Jemma Geoghegan, an evolutionary biologist and virologist at New Zealand's University of Otago, said Monday most lineages of H5N1 are only dispersed long distances by migratory waterfowl. — Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 There are plenty of other lineages that are famous for their diversity, and further investigation may find that evolution, at least for a specific trait like teeth, is easy for those lineages, too. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lineage

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

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lineage
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Cite this Entry

“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

lineage

noun
lin·​eage
ˈlin-ē-ij
1
: the ancestors from whom a person is descended
2
: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun
lin·​e·​age
ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij
1
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
2
: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor
replication in T cell lineages

More from Merriam-Webster on lineage

Nglish: Translation of lineage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lineage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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