family history

noun

1
: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members
They have a family history of heart disease.
a family history of violence
2
: a record of one's ancestors
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.

Examples of family history in a Sentence

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Because of her strong family history and high risk of recurrence, Pointer had a double mastectomy. Korin Miller, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025 Knowing the family history for aneurysms is important, Arthur added, as it’s recommended to get a screening exam, or MRI, if two close relatives have had them. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Risk factors for colon cancer include age, family history, a diet high in red meat, and obesity. Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025 Black Archives wants to teach people about genealogy The Black Archives is holding an event in Miami that helps teach people tools to trace their family history. Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for family history

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Cite this Entry

“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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