lineage

1 of 2

noun (1)

lin·​e·​age ˈli-nē-ij How to pronounce lineage (audio)
 also  ˈli-nij
1
a
: descent in a line from a common progenitor
b
: derivation
the gun's direct lineage is in the 1960sErik Larson
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

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
And twice, independently, lineages with 10 or fewer slits evolved shell eyes. Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 To ensure diverse and resilient populations, the women carefully document genetic lineages and track data to avoid breeding siblings. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 28 Feb. 2024 The 24-year-old musician, who hails from Nashville, impressed judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan with her performance, and they were surprised by her lineage. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2024 And what’s drawn people to trying is less a clear lineage than a shared feeling. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2024 Stoute represents a lineage of music moguls and business leaders who have crafted the worlds of sub-cultures into mass cultures. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The most recent is the RS 6 Avant GT, the most potent arrow in Audi’s quiver and the final model in the RS 6 Avant lineage, the fourth series of which was launched in 2019. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 The Coastal Ecology Lab is studying alligators in and around the area, including a program that tracks their movements, nesting habits and lineage. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Using these methods, Dr Wu and collaborators found that the oldest split in the avian tree created two lineages, one that gave rise to the ratites — today’s ostriches and emus, the palaeognaths — and the other comprising all other modern birds, neoaves. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lineage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near lineage

Cite this Entry

“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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