progenitor Definition
- 1a direct ancestor
- 2a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model
- 3a source from which something develops
Using progenitor: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "progenitor" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Charles Darwin is considered the progenitor of evolutionary theory.
Example
The Model T Ford was the progenitor of modern automobiles.
Example
The ancient Greeks are the progenitors of Western civilization.
progenitor Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for progenitor
Phrases with progenitor
a biological cell that can differentiate into one or more types of specialized cells
Example
Progenitor cells are important in the development of new therapies for diseases.
a virus that is the ancestor of a group of related viruses
Example
The progenitor virus of HIV is believed to have originated in chimpanzees.
a star that is the precursor to a supernova
Example
A progenitor star is a massive star that has exhausted its fuel and is about to explode.
Origins of progenitor
from Latin 'progenitor', meaning 'ancestor'
Summary: progenitor in Brief
The term 'progenitor' [proh-jen-i-ter] refers to a direct ancestor, a source from which something develops, or a person or thing that first indicates a direction or serves as a model. Examples include Charles Darwin as the progenitor of evolutionary theory and the Model T Ford as the progenitor of modern automobiles. The term extends into scientific contexts such as 'progenitor cell' and 'progenitor virus.'
