descendant

American  

[dih-sen-duhnt] / dɪˈsɛn dənt /

noun

1. a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor; an offspring.

2. something deriving in appearance, function, or general character from an earlier form.

3. an adherent who follows closely the teachings, methods, practices, etc., of an earlier master, as in art, music, philosophy, etc.; disciple.

4. Astrology.

   1. the point opposite the ascendant.

   2. the point of the ecliptic or the sign and degree of the zodiac setting below the western horizon at the time of a birth or of an event.

   3. the cusp of the seventh house.

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adjective

1. descending; descendent.

descendant ¹ British  

/ dɪˈsɛndənt /

noun

1. a person, animal, or plant when described as descended from an individual, race, species, etc

2. something that derives or is descended from an earlier form

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adjective

1. a variant spelling of descendent

Descendant ² British  

/ dɪˈsɛndənt /

noun

1. astrology the point on the ecliptic lying directly opposite the Ascendant

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Etymology

Origin of descendant

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English descendaunt (adjective), from Old French descendant “going down,” present participle of descendre “to go down”; equivalent to descend + -ant

Explanation

The word descendant refers to something that has come down. For example, everyone is a descendant, or the end of a line of ancestors, just as modern art is a descendant of past art that contributed to its style and technique. The word descendant comes from the word "descend" which means to move in a downward direction. Note that the word can also be spelled with an "-ent" ending. Philosopher Herbert Spencer wrote, “The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future.” Have you ever wondered what your descendants will know about you? Perhaps you could leave them your peanut butter and banana sandwich recipe.

Example Sentences

Other characters include Bernard the litter‑picking tree who is described as a "descendant of a legendary environmentalist lineage" inspired by nature documentaries.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Another day this month, Lurie disclosed a contribution from Google and one from a descendant of a local 20th-century dehydrated-potato-product fortune.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Chevron, which is a direct descendant of a small oil company founded in Southern California in the 1870s, has grown into a $300-billion global corporation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026

A sixth-generation descendant of San Fernando's pioneer lantern-maker, Quiwa said apart from religion, he was proud to carry on the family tradition of "cheering people up during Christmas".

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Neither he nor any descendant of his would ever again be driven into evil by the irresistible power of the past.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• heir
• offspring
• scion