1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960s—
Erik Larson
Erik Larson2
: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor
especially
: such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder
Synonyms
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
Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025
Displays trace the lineage of families who settled in the area, and one exhibit showcases a Native American dugout canoe.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2025
Differently Barrymore famously grew up in a wealthy family with a long Hollywood lineage, which led to her own problems with substance abuse a very young age.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025
Climate changes during the period underwrote a vegetation boom that provided some previously omnivorous dinosaur lineages with enough green food to begin specializing on eating plants.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lineage 
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
The lineage of conservative responses has been largely an assertion of business power.
—Colin Gordon, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2025
Displays trace the lineage of families who settled in the area, and one exhibit showcases a Native American dugout canoe.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2025
Differently Barrymore famously grew up in a wealthy family with a long Hollywood lineage, which led to her own problems with substance abuse a very young age.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025
Climate changes during the period underwrote a vegetation boom that provided some previously omnivorous dinosaur lineages with enough green food to begin specializing on eating plants.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lineage
Dictionary Entries Near lineage
Cite this Entry
“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share