Dictionary Entry
common ancestor
nounFind the meaning of the word common ancestor, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.
1
Meaning
Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.
the organism from which two or more species are both descended — all life on Earth shares a single common ancestor [R]
Example Sentence
Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor that lived about six million years ago.
Usage Note
Use this term when explaining how different animals, plants, or people are related through evolution or family history.