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Synonyms

lineage

1 American  
[lin-ee-ij] / ˈlɪn i ɪdʒ /

noun

  1. lineal descent from an ancestor; ancestry or extraction.

    She could trace her lineage to the early Pilgrims.

    Synonyms:
    genealogy, derivation, parentage, pedigree
  2. the line of descendants of a particular ancestor; family.

    Synonyms:
    clan, tribe

lineage 2 American  
[lahy-nij] / ˈlaɪ nɪdʒ /

noun

  1. linage.


lineage 1 British  
/ ˈlɪnɪɪdʒ /

noun

  1. direct descent from an ancestor, esp a line of descendants from one ancestor

  2. a less common word for derivation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lineage 2 British  
/ ˈlaɪnɪdʒ /

noun

  1. a variant spelling of linage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lineage

1275–1325; line(al) + -age; replacing Middle English linage < Anglo-French; Old French lignage < Vulgar Latin *līneāticum. See line 1, -age

Explanation

The word lineage is used to describe everyone who descends from a particular ancestor. Mozart had six children, but none of them had children of their own, so the composer’s lineage ended after one generation. If you put an adjective like artistic or spiritual before lineage, it becomes clear you're talking about people who are related by ideas or attitude, not by blood. There are many composers, even today, who trace their musical lineage to Mozart, even though his actual lineage ended in the 19th century.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a previous statement, Lineage estimated there were about 5,000 truckloads of rotting food to be removed from inside.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Bass’ office did not respond to questions regarding some residents’ demands that the Lineage warehouse be shut down for good.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Contractors at the massive Lineage warehouse on Thursday had already placed fans and misters around the burned remains of the building, which had its walls torn down so firefighters could spray water into the structure.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

They said Lineage worked closely with the Fire Department during the blaze and delivered masks, air purifiers and other supplies to the community, and will work to ensure the fastest cleanup possible.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

"Poetry" was the first: then succeeded "Discretion," "Good Lineage," and "Valor."

From Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

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