lin·e·age
ˈli-nē-ij 
also ˈli-nij
1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.—
Colleen Barry
Colleen Barry2
: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor
especially
: such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder
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
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In 1958, the government introduced life peers — lords appointed by the government, rather than family lineage.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
The prevailing scientific view for more than 50 years held that this hollow architecture was a uniquely avian trait — a feature absent from the mammalian lineage entirely.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Presence of stones Classified as a thescelosaurid, this bipedal dinosaur was part of a lineage found across East Asia and North America, potentially characterized by a fuzzy exterior.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lineage
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Noun
But some legal experts say this has been a foundational American principle, part of a broader rejection of parentage or lineage determining an individual’s status or rights.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In 1958, the government introduced life peers — lords appointed by the government, rather than family lineage.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
The prevailing scientific view for more than 50 years held that this hollow architecture was a uniquely avian trait — a feature absent from the mammalian lineage entirely.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Presence of stones Classified as a thescelosaurid, this bipedal dinosaur was part of a lineage found across East Asia and North America, potentially characterized by a fuzzy exterior.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lineage
Cite this Entry
“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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