Family tree: meaning, definitions and examples

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family tree

 

[ ˈfæm.əl.i triː ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

genealogy

A family tree is a diagram showing the relationships between people in a family, especially over several generations.

Synonyms

genealogy chart, pedigree chart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
family tree

Used in everyday conversations to depict the lineage or ancestry of a family in a simple and understandable format.

  • She created a family tree to show her children their ancestors
  • The family tree helped them understand their heritage
genealogy chart

Typically used in formal or research contexts to describe a visual representation of someone's family lineage, focusing more on the structure and connections between generations.

  • The researcher presented a detailed genealogy chart of the ancient dynasty
  • She used a genealogy chart to map out her family connections
pedigree chart

Often used in formal or scientific domains, particularly in biology and veterinary contexts. It can also be used to show the breeding history of animals and sometimes carries a connotation related to purity of lineage.

  • The breeder showed us the pedigree chart of the puppies
  • In biology class, students learned how to create a pedigree chart

Examples of usage

  • She spent hours researching her family tree.
  • The family tree traced back to the 18th century.
Context #2 | Noun

ancestry

A family tree is a record or diagram of the ancestry or descendants of a person, a family, or a clan.

Synonyms

ancestry chart, lineage chart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
family tree

Use this term when describing a visual representation of family relationships. It's commonly used in casual or everyday conversation.

  • We created a family tree for our genealogy project at school.
  • The family tree shows our relatives going back several generations.
ancestry chart

This term is appropriate in more formal or academic settings. It's often used in genealogical research to detail familial lineage.

  • The ancestry chart provided a detailed view of our forebears.
  • The researcher presented an ancestry chart to trace the royal family's roots.
lineage chart

Used in formal contexts, especially when emphasizing the direct descent from an ancestor. It might also be seen in historical or cultural discussions.

  • The lineage chart traced the descendants of the ancient warrior.
  • Each branch on the lineage chart represents a different family line.

Examples of usage

  • The family tree revealed surprising connections.
  • He proudly displayed his family tree.

Translations

Translations of the word "family tree" in other languages:

🇵🇹 árvore genealógica

🇮🇳 परिवार वृक्ष

🇩🇪 Stammbaum

🇮🇩 pohon keluarga

🇺🇦 родове дерево

🇵🇱 drzewo genealogiczne

🇯🇵 家系図 (kakeizu)

🇫🇷 arbre généalogique

🇪🇸 árbol genealógico

🇹🇷 soy ağacı

🇰🇷 가계도 (gajedo)

🇸🇦 شجرة العائلة

🇨🇿 rodokmen

🇸🇰 rodokmeň

🇨🇳 家谱树 (jiāpǔ shù)

🇸🇮 družinsko drevo

🇮🇸 ættartal

🇰🇿 шежіре ағашы

🇬🇪 ოჯახის ხე (ojakhis khe)

🇦🇿 soy ağacı

🇲🇽 árbol genealógico

Etymology

The concept of a family tree, also known as a genealogy chart, dates back centuries. People have long been interested in tracing their roots and understanding their family history. The practice of creating family trees has evolved over time, from hand-drawn diagrams to digital formats. Today, many resources are available to help individuals research and document their family trees, offering insights into their heritage and connections to past generations.