1. ancestors or forebears; people from whom one is descended
Usage: plural form
2. originators or founders of something; those who begin or establish
Usage: plural form

Examples

• The museum displayed artifacts from our ancient progenitors.
• She traced her family tree back to her European progenitors.
• The progenitors of modern democracy established important principles.
• These early scientists were the progenitors of quantum physics.
• The progenitors of the company started with a simple idea.
• Many consider them the progenitors of the civil rights movement.