line of descent of a purebred animal
"The breeder showed the puppy's pedigree to prove its ancestors were all champion show dogs."
A chart, list, or record of ancestors, to show breeding, especially distinguished breeding.
"The breeder kept a detailed pedigree of his champion dogs to prove their distinguished lineage."
In plain English: A pedigree is an official record that proves your family's ancestors are purebred and come from specific, recognized lines.
"The dog's pedigree shows that he comes from a long line of champion winners."
Usage: While often used interchangeably with "lineage," pedigree specifically implies a verified record of ancestry rather than just family connections. In casual conversation about dogs or horses, it refers to documented bloodlines, whereas in broader contexts it can metaphorically denote the quality or reputation derived from one's origins.
To determine the pedigree of (an animal).
"The veterinarian spent hours analyzing DNA samples to determine the pedigree of the rare breed puppy."
In plain English: To pedigree something is to prove its purebred ancestry by tracing back through generations of family records.
"The purebred dog's pedigree could not be traced back beyond three generations."
having a list of ancestors as proof of being a purebred animal
"The breeder refused to sell the dog until he could show its pedigree proving it was a purebred German Shepherd."
Having a pedigree.
"The purebred dog had an impeccable lineage that proved its high pedigree."
The word pedigree comes from the Anglo-French phrase pé de grue, meaning "foot of a crane." It entered English to describe an animal's lineage, likely because cranes were thought to have long legs that could trace their ancestry back far.