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
Recent Examples on the Web
Their risk factors included being sedentary, eating an unhealthy diet, having a family history of memory problems or a genetic predisposition for them, having heart disease risk factors, or belonging to certain ethnic groups that have a higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
—
Alice Park, Time, 30 July 2025
Most of the women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history and nearly half have no identifiable risk factors.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The trial is testing the vaccine in women who are currently cancer-free but considered high-risk due to genetic mutations (like BRCA1/2) or family history.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 July 2025
In higher-risk individuals, such as those with many moles or a family history of melanoma, routine screenings are especially critical.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Alice Park, Time, 30 July 2025
Most of the women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history and nearly half have no identifiable risk factors.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The trial is testing the vaccine in women who are currently cancer-free but considered high-risk due to genetic mutations (like BRCA1/2) or family history.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 July 2025
In higher-risk individuals, such as those with many moles or a family history of melanoma, routine screenings are especially critical.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
Cite this Entry
“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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