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
Recent Examples on the Web
Pham, who has no family history of the disease, first suffered from kidney issues at the age of nine.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Primary care providers or gastroenterologists (doctors specialized in GI disorders) diagnose IBS based on symptoms, medical and family history, and a physical evaluation.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Feb. 2025
People who have a family history of glaucoma, have high eye (intraocular) pressure, diabetes, are short- or long-sighted, are of African or Asian descent, or over 50 are at higher risk of developing the condition.
—Paul McClure 05, New Atlas, 5 Feb. 2025
In an October 2017 episode of Finding Your Roots, Navarro was shocked to discover new details about her ancestry and her family history in Nicaragua.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
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Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Primary care providers or gastroenterologists (doctors specialized in GI disorders) diagnose IBS based on symptoms, medical and family history, and a physical evaluation.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Feb. 2025
People who have a family history of glaucoma, have high eye (intraocular) pressure, diabetes, are short- or long-sighted, are of African or Asian descent, or over 50 are at higher risk of developing the condition.
—Paul McClure 05, New Atlas, 5 Feb. 2025
In an October 2017 episode of Finding Your Roots, Navarro was shocked to discover new details about her ancestry and her family history in Nicaragua.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for family history
Cite this Entry
“Family history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20history. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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