genealogy
noun
ge·ne·al·o·gy
ˌjē-nē-ˈä-lə-jē 
also
-ˈa-lə-
also ˌje-nē-
plural genealogies
1
: an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms
2
: regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor (see progenitor sense 1) or older form : pedigree
3
: the study of family ancestral lines
4
: an account of the origin and historical development of something
Synonyms
Examples of genealogy in a Sentence
They've been researching their genealogies.
has a distinguished genealogy that traces back to William the Conqueror
Recent Examples on the Web
The hearing regarded forensic investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence that Kohberger's lawyers want thrown out.
—
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
That amounted to nothing more than a breach of private terms of service, prosecutors rebutted, even as the defense alleged constitutional rights violations over the advanced technique known as investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG, that first put Kohberger on police’s radar.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025
At a hearing on Thursday, the prosecution and defense presented arguments on a motion to suppress investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence in the upcoming trial.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
As the panelists broke down Behar's upcoming appearance on PBS' genealogy docuseries Finding Your Roots, the 82-year-old recounted some of the show's findings, including information that pointed to both sides of her family living on opposite sides of the same street well before she was born.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for genealogy 
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Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
That amounted to nothing more than a breach of private terms of service, prosecutors rebutted, even as the defense alleged constitutional rights violations over the advanced technique known as investigative genetic genealogy, or IGG, that first put Kohberger on police’s radar.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Jan. 2025
At a hearing on Thursday, the prosecution and defense presented arguments on a motion to suppress investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) evidence in the upcoming trial.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
As the panelists broke down Behar's upcoming appearance on PBS' genealogy docuseries Finding Your Roots, the 82-year-old recounted some of the show's findings, including information that pointed to both sides of her family living on opposite sides of the same street well before she was born.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for genealogy
Dictionary Entries Near genealogy
Cite this Entry
“Genealogy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genealogy. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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genealogy
noun
ge·ne·al·o·gy
ˌjē-nē-ˈäl-ə-jē
ˌjen-ē-
ˌjen-ē-
-ˈal-
plural genealogies
1
: the line of ancestors of a person or family or a history of such a line of ancestors
2
: the study of family lines of ancestors
genealogist
noun
-ˈäl-ə-jəst
-ˈal-
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