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
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
Those clubs with recent European pedigree, such as 2022-23 Champions League winners Manchester City and Chelsea, who lifted the trophy two years earlier, automatically earn more upon qualification by virtue of how that value pillar is distributed.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Although against a group of vibrant, hungry players who hunt like wolves before fizzing and whizzing in possession, with relentless ball speed and intricate rotations, Villa could only make up for the deficit in quality and European pedigree through hard work.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
And Priester does have some pedigree.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noah Fant Dynasty Outlook Another piece of the puzzle is draft capital and prospect pedigree.
—Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pedigree
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Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Although against a group of vibrant, hungry players who hunt like wolves before fizzing and whizzing in possession, with relentless ball speed and intricate rotations, Villa could only make up for the deficit in quality and European pedigree through hard work.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
And Priester does have some pedigree.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noah Fant Dynasty Outlook Another piece of the puzzle is draft capital and prospect pedigree.
—Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pedigree
Cite this Entry
“Pedigree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedigree. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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
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