pedigree
noun
ped·i·gree ˈpe-də-ˌgrē 
1
: a register recording a line of ancestors
The pedigree traces the family back to the 18th century.
2
a
: an ancestral line : lineage
That horse has an impressive pedigree.
b
: the origin and the history of something
Democracy's pedigree stretches back to ancient Greece.
broadly : background, history
3
a
: a distinguished ancestry
actions spoke louder than pedigrees in the trenches
Dixon Wecter
Dixon Wecter b
: the recorded purity of breed of an individual or strain
vouch for a horse's pedigree
pedigreed
ˈpe-də-ˌgrēd
adjective or pedigree
Synonyms
- ancestry
- birth
- blood
- bloodline
- breeding
- descent
- extraction
- family tree
- genealogy
- line
- lineage
- origin
- parentage
- stock
- strain
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
That horse has an impressive pedigree. What is the dog's pedigree? The puppy came with papers proving its pedigree. Democracy is an idea with a pedigree stretching back to ancient Greece. The company has an excellent pedigree with over a century in the business.
Recent Examples on the Web Even Drew Brees, seemingly created in a lab to do TV — looks, charisma, pedigree, brains — lasted on TV for only a year. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 In his first preseason camp with his new team, Wilson’s pedigree as a successful coach at Division II Bowie State, emphasis on discipline, and strategies to strengthening relationships have been embraced by his players. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2022 He was charmed by its design, its pedigree, the people who had lived there, and those who had visited. Cari Beauchamp, Town & Country, 20 Aug. 2022 Burton's family sports quite the athletic pedigree. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2022 Adding some academic pedigree to A Thousand Blows, award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga — who gave the keynote MacTaggart Lecture at the 2020 Edinburgh TV Festival — will act as executive producer on the series. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2022 Here, five strategies that can help homeowners add historical character to their own backyards, no blue-blood pedigree required. Katy Elliott, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 Episodes from the various series average about five minutes and the production values go from handheld smartphone quality to polished television show pedigree. Adario Strange, Quartz, 15 Aug. 2022 Hallmarks of its pedigree designer can be seen throughout the 7,605-square-foot home – including the contrasting use of concrete and glass. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 In his first preseason camp with his new team, Wilson’s pedigree as a successful coach at Division II Bowie State, emphasis on discipline, and strategies to strengthening relationships have been embraced by his players. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2022 He was charmed by its design, its pedigree, the people who had lived there, and those who had visited. Cari Beauchamp, Town & Country, 20 Aug. 2022 Burton's family sports quite the athletic pedigree. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2022 Adding some academic pedigree to A Thousand Blows, award-winning broadcaster and historian Professor David Olusoga — who gave the keynote MacTaggart Lecture at the 2020 Edinburgh TV Festival — will act as executive producer on the series. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2022 Here, five strategies that can help homeowners add historical character to their own backyards, no blue-blood pedigree required. Katy Elliott, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 Episodes from the various series average about five minutes and the production values go from handheld smartphone quality to polished television show pedigree. Adario Strange, Quartz, 15 Aug. 2022 Hallmarks of its pedigree designer can be seen throughout the 7,605-square-foot home – including the contrasting use of concrete and glass. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English pedegru, from Anglo-French pé de grue, literally, crane's foot; from the shape made by the lines of a genealogical chart
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
pedigree
noun
ped·i·gree ˈpe-də-ˌgrē
1
: a table or list showing the line of ancestors of a person or animal
2
: a line of ancestors
Medical Definition
pedigree
noun
ped·i·gree ˈped-ə-ˌgrē
: a record of the ancestry of an individual
the pedigree of a diabetic patient
pedigree
noun
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a woman of good pedigree Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lineage
- ancestry
- breeding
- genealogy
- origin
- parentage
- family
- descent
- bloodline
- birth
- blood
- extraction
- stock
- strain
- line
- family tree
- race
- succession
- heredity
- relations
- house
- relatives
- kin
- kindred
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- progeny
- seed
- offspring
- issue
- posterity
- heir
- son
- successor
- child
- inheritor