# ancestry

/ˈænsɛstɹi/ (US) · /ˈænsɛstɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ancestry
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. noble birth

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

coming from a family that has a high social rank or a famous history.

For teachers: descent from a noble, high-ranking, or distinguished family. This sense emphasizes the status of the lineage rather than just the biological connection.

- In the old days, a person's ancestry was more important than their skills.
- The protagonist was a man of ancient ancestry, though his family had long since lost the wealth that once accompanied their title.

## Examples

- She is proud of her Irish ancestry.
- The museum exhibit explores the ancestry of early settlers in the region.
- Tracing one's ancestry often reveals unexpected connections to distant cultures and historical migrations that shaped modern identities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.