family history

noun

1
: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members
They have a family history of heart disease.
a family history of violence
2
: a record of one's ancestors
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.

Examples of family history in a Sentence

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More cases are now being seen in younger adults, especially those with a family history of the disease or certain genetic conditions. — Care Resource, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Most people know that smoking, obesity, and family history can raise blood pressure. — Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026 That family history, including people technically unrelated to him, had contributed to this designer’s rather masterful ability to design and tailor. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 In healthy adolescents with no personal or family history of heart disease, EKG screening can produce false-positive results in up to 15% of students, with even higher rates among Black athletes. — Katherine Hofmann, STAT, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for family history

Rhymes for family history

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Browse Nearby Words

family friend
family history
family income policy
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Cite this Entry

“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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