parentage

noun

par·​ent·​age ˈper-ən-tij 

1

a

: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage

a person of noble parentage

b

: derivation, origin

a tradition of uncertain parentage

2

: parenthood

Synonyms of parentage

• ancestry
• lineage
• origin
• pedigree
• breeding

Examples of parentage in a Sentence

they were pleased that their son's girlfriend was of good parentage

Recent Examples on the Web

When asked about the couple’s motivation, Hochman said that was part of the ongoing investigation, as was the parentage of each child. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Currently, parents whose children were born in the United States only need to prove their parentage and present photo identification during this process. — Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Instead, questions about who has parental rights would have to be resolved under other parts of Texas parentage law. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026

The couple sought to establish parentage through the courts, with legal proceedings unfolding across multiple states, including Alaska, California and Texas, according to The Texas Tribune. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French, from parent parent entry 1 + -age -age

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

parentage

noun

par·​ent·​age ˈpar-ənt-ij 

ˈper-

: descent from parents or ancestors : lineage