A descendant is a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor, such as a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild. It can also refer to something that is similar to and influenced by something that existed before it. In legal terms, a descendant is a member of an individuals direct family line by blood or adoption. The term "issue" is sometimes used interchangeably with "descendant". Descendants can inherit property by default under state laws when someone dies without a will. Examples of the use of the term "descendant" include:

• A person who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past.
• The living descendants of untold generations of Ozarks history.
• The modern descendants of dinosaurs.
• The Italian language is one of Latins descendants.