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
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
Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The paleontologist Simon Conway Morris points out that there are common and widespread patterns of convergent evolution in life’s history, where similar adaptations, like eyes, wings, and streamlined bodies, evolved independently in unrelated lineages.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the terms sativa, indica, and hybrid refer to the genetic lineage/origin of cannabis species.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
To circumvent constitutional limitations, reparations advocates argued that the benefits were lawfully tied to lineage or ancestry, rather than race.
—Andrew Quinio, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lineage
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Noun
The dyrosaurid lineage spread across the globe, and the group as a whole even survived the extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
The paleontologist Simon Conway Morris points out that there are common and widespread patterns of convergent evolution in life’s history, where similar adaptations, like eyes, wings, and streamlined bodies, evolved independently in unrelated lineages.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the terms sativa, indica, and hybrid refer to the genetic lineage/origin of cannabis species.
—Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
To circumvent constitutional limitations, reparations advocates argued that the benefits were lawfully tied to lineage or ancestry, rather than race.
—Andrew Quinio, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lineage
Cite this Entry
“Lineage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lineage. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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