lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij How to pronounce lineage (audio)
also ˈli-nij
Synonyms of lineage
1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
… the brand's lineage as a leather goods company.—Colleen Barry
2
: a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor
especially : such a group of persons whose common ancestor is regarded as its founder

lineage

2 of 2

noun (2)

line·​age

less common spelling of linage

: the number of lines of printed or written matter

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
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
Ziggy Marley was headlining the show with Burning Spear, and the air was thick with the sound of harmonic lineage. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 Even though the company, founded by a Swedish master saddler 174 years ago, is a relative newborn in the long lineage of mattresses, and despite the 2000T model only dating back to 1978, that’s still plenty of time to replicate it. — Jaklin Romine oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 While some of these families traced their lineages back to the colonial aristocrats of Mexico or New England, the Mesmers, like Griffith, were recent European immigrants, having come to the United States from Alsace, France. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026 Today, Aitzhanova, who comes from a long lineage of artisans and felt masters, interprets Al Basty and other myths into pieces like the Bayur liver bag or a white wool coat inspired by the sacred swan of Kazakh legends, Aqqu. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lineage

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of lineage was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

lineage

noun
lin·​eage
ˈlin-ē-ij
1
: the ancestors from whom a person is descended
2
: the people descended from the same ancestor

Medical Definition

lineage

noun
lin·​e·​age
ˈlin-ē-ij also ˈlin-ij
1
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
2
: a group of individuals descended from a common ancestor
replication in T cell lineages

More from Merriam-Webster on lineage

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster