descendant

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•scend•ant /dɪˈsɛndənt/   n. [countable]

1. Genetics one descended from a certain ancestor;
   an offspring:
   a descendant of the kings of Ireland.

Compare ancestor.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•scend•ant  (di sen′dənt), n. 

1. Genetics a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor;
   an offspring.
2. something deriving in appearance, function, or general character from an earlier form.
3. an adherent who follows closely the teachings, methods, practices, etc., of an earlier master, as in art, music, philosophy, etc.;
   disciple.
4. Astrology
   • Astrology the point opposite the ascendant.
   • Astrology the point of the ecliptic or the sign and degree of the zodiac setting below the western horizon at the time of a birth or of an event.
   • Astrology the cusp of the seventh house.

adj. 

5. descending;
   descendent.

• Old French descendant, present participle of descendre. See descend, -ant
• late Middle English descendaunt (adjective, adjectival) 1425–75

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

descendant / dɪˈsɛndənt/ noun

1. a person, animal, or plant when described as descended from an individual, race, species, etc
2. something that derives or is descended from an earlier form

adjective

1. a variant spelling of descendent