family tree

noun

1. a genealogical chart showing the ancestry, descent, and relationship of all members of a family or other genealogical group.

family tree

noun

1. Also called: genealogical tree. a chart showing the genealogical relationships and lines of descent of a family

Word History and Origins

Origin of family tree¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

After my mom died, there were even more people in the family tree who could have laid claim to the candlesticks, but they are in my dining room, because I was my mom’s eldest daughter.

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“My family tree does have a touch of mystery about it,” he replied after a pause.

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“I am a governess, not a librarian. In any case, the diary you describe would be of use in researching the Ashton family tree, not your own.”

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“How strange, that the Swanburne family tree is not better known. Surely there are many proud and loyal Swanburne girls who would be curious about it.”

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To help figure out which seeds to use, he built a database that now traces the family trees of thousands of gargantuan gourds back generations.

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