family history

noun

1
: past occurrences (of a medical or mental health condition) in family members or past incidences (of a type of behavior) by family members
They have a family history of heart disease.
a family history of violence
2
: a record of one's ancestors
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.

Examples of family history in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Kansas City Chiefs cornerback shook off a family history of imprisonment and became star professional football player. — Pj Green october 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 Alternatively, scour relatives’ attics and basements for a fixture with some family history. — Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026 According to family history, DaCosta Levy’s family lineage traced to Portugal, where his ancestors had been mariners — almost certainly Sephardic Jews who scattered across the Atlantic world after the Inquisition. — Zachary Kranc, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 Graille believes these paintings could be the most revealing works Dzubas ever made, bringing together his German upbringing, American career, religious interests, and complicated family history. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for family history

Rhymes for family history

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Browse Nearby Words

family friend
family history
family income policy
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Cite this Entry

“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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