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Synonyms

parentage

American  
[pair-uhn-tij, par-] / ˈpɛər ən tɪdʒ, ˈpær- /

noun

  1. derivation or descent from parents or ancestors; birth, origin, or lineage.

    a man of distinguished parentage.

    Synonyms:
    stock, extraction, ancestry
  2. the state or relation of a parent; parenthood.


parentage British  
/ ˈpɛərəntɪdʒ /

noun

  1. ancestry

  2. derivation from a particular origin

  3. rare parenthood

"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 parentage

From Middle French, dating back to 1480–90; see origin at parent, -age

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.

Uthmeier’s theory would render this presumption unconstitutional, because it allows a non-biological father to assert parentage while severing the biological father’s claim to the child.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

He sought to invalidate the surrogacy contract as unconstitutional, denying the couple’s claim of parentage over their child.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

This is the third judgement from the Family Courts concerning the legal parentage of children involving sperm donated by Albon.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

An uprising typically has a long parentage and, if effective enough, can leave behind many like-minded descendants.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Bom in the Transvaal, of mixed parentage, Marks was a charismatic figure with a distinctive sense of humor.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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