ancestral

adjective

an·​ces·​tral an-ˈse-strəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: of, relating to, or inherited from an ancestor
ancestral estates
ancestrally adverb

Examples of ancestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yavapai-Apache had been purchasing the land parcels since the 1990s with the goal of swapping them to rebuild more of its ancestral lands. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024 It was specially recorded within an ancestral forest in the UK, and the sound of birds twittering is known to offer relief from burnout, mental fatigue and stress. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The debauchery gets cut short when the vampires struggle to slumber and realize that housekeeping swept away their ancestral dirt. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2024 Althorp is the Spencer family's ancestral home in Northamptonshire, England, and where Princess Diana grew up. Janine Henni, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ancestral 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ancestral was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ancestral

Cite this Entry

“Ancestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancestral. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ancestral

adjective
an·​ces·​tral an-ˈses-trəl How to pronounce ancestral (audio)
: of, relating to, or developed from an ancestor
ancestral home
ancestrally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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