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
Synonyms
Examples of pedigree in a Sentence
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
But hiring a coveted coach with basketball pedigree and Southern California ties such as Musselman is a major coup at such a late juncture in the offseason carousel.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Then three transfer targets picked schools with less winning pedigree but significantly more NIL money.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
The signature burgers start out with some pedigree.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Finding someone with a MAGA pedigree has been more difficult.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The only one with a genuine opposition pedigree is the Communist Party, a traditional fixture of Russian politics with its own popular base and a program that sharply criticizes the Kremlin from the left.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024
Just in case, though, the Hornets’ 111-99 loss to Milwaukee at Spectrum Center on Thursday night showed once again how far the organization has to go to reach the level of the Bucks or any other team with championship pedigree.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
Machado is a smooth fielder with shortstop pedigree in his own right, but he’s played third base exclusively since 2020.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
As such, owners can get a semi-custom yacht with the Dutch yard’s pedigree.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Then three transfer targets picked schools with less winning pedigree but significantly more NIL money.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
The signature burgers start out with some pedigree.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Finding someone with a MAGA pedigree has been more difficult.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The only one with a genuine opposition pedigree is the Communist Party, a traditional fixture of Russian politics with its own popular base and a program that sharply criticizes the Kremlin from the left.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024
Just in case, though, the Hornets’ 111-99 loss to Milwaukee at Spectrum Center on Thursday night showed once again how far the organization has to go to reach the level of the Bucks or any other team with championship pedigree.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
Machado is a smooth fielder with shortstop pedigree in his own right, but he’s played third base exclusively since 2020.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
As such, owners can get a semi-custom yacht with the Dutch yard’s pedigree.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pedigree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pedigree
Cite this Entry
“Pedigree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedigree. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pedigree
noun
ped·i·gree
ˈped-ə-ˌgrē
1
: a table or list showing the line of ancestors of a person or animal
2
: an ancestral line : lineage
3
: purity of breed recorded by a pedigree
Medical Definition
pedigree
noun
ped·i·gree
ˈped-ə-ˌgrē
: a record of the ancestry of an individual
the pedigree of a diabetic patient
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share