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.
By the late 1960s, the Moros had become a poor and displaced minority in their ancestral land. Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 This milestone paved the way for the reintroduction of the Lord Howe Island stick insect to its ancestral home. Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Tribes now have more say in what happens to ancestral lands and other issues important to Native peoples. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024 From the dizzying array of different agave varieties available to the numerous distillation techniques, including ancestral ones that employ clay stills, each step in the production process contributes to the unique character of Mezcal. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 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 21 Jan. 2025.

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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