family

1 of 2

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē How to pronounce family (audio)

ˈfa-mə-

plural families

: the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children

also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family

a single-parent family

: spouse and children

want to spend more time with my family

: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household

: a group of persons of common ancestry : clan

: a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock

: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship

: the staff of a high official (such as the President)

: a group of things related by common characteristics: such as

: a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds

: a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (such as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classification

: a group of related languages descended from a single ancestral language

: a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera

b in livestock breeding

(1)

: the descendants or line of a particular individual especially of some outstanding female

(2)

: an identifiable strain within a breed

: a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters

: a unit of a crime syndicate (such as the Mafia) operating within a geographical area

familyhood

ˈfam-lē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce family (audio)

ˈfa-mə-

noun

family

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a family (see family entry 1)

: designed or suitable for both children and adults

family restaurants

family movies

Did you know?

What is a family?

The answer to the question “what does family mean?” is both difficult to answer and highly subjective. The word has shifted its meaning considerably since it entered our language, currently contains many different senses, and in at least one of these senses may signify different things to different people. The earliest uses of family denoted “a group of persons in the service of an individual,” a sense that is now archaic. Although this early meaning may seem far afield from the way that most of us use family today, it is not surprising when we consider that the word comes from the Latin familia, which meant “household,” a designation that included both servants and relatives.

In modern use family may refer to one of a number of different groups of people or things collectively, such as chemical compounds, related languages, plants and animals, and people who may or may not share ancestry. Family is often encountered in legal use, but even within the jargon of the law it is not restricted to a single meaning. In many legal contexts family denotes “individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption,” but in others the definition may be somewhat broader, encompassing groups of individuals not related by these things.

Example Sentences

Noun The disappearance of decent-paying low-skilled jobs over the last 30 years makes it virtually impossible for a young high-school dropout to successfully support a family on a legitimate income.

Karen De Witt, Essence, August 1994 A defendant in a racketeering trial was described yesterday as a Mafia captain who had carried out a plot to kill three rivals in the Bonanno crime family.

Arnold H. Lubasch, New York Times, 30 Apr. 1987 Nobody ever came to the farm—through "the big gate," a mile off on the pike—except kin and a family named Rawls: a widow with two daughters and a son, my only playmate.

Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980 It was quite an understood thing in the family that Lord Fawn must marry money.

Anthony Trollope, The Eustace Diamonds, 1871 There were a lot of families at the circus. The show is fun for the whole family. a death in the family There are several doctors on his mother's side of the family. She wants to spend more time with her family. After his father's death he became the head of the family. She's a friend of the family. He spent a quiet evening at home with family. trying to find a balance between work and family He's devoted to his wife and family. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Several family-friendly camping areas include Brazos Bend State Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Double Lake Recreation Area and Huntsville State Park.

Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 9 Sep. 2022 Photographers captured a quiet night at home for the whole family, at Windsor in 1969.

Staff Author Published, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 In recent years, Apple has promised customers that its products can help create a safer digital environment for them – one with stronger privacy protections and family-friendly content.

Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Other features include live entertainment, family-friendly games, and a fireplace with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Entry tickets to the family-friendly festival are $5 and kids are free.

Jason Gonzalez, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 Check out the best family-friendly exhibits, classes and shows.

Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 SeaWorld Orlando breaks out its second-ever edition of Howl-O-Scream on Friday, then starts its more family-friendly Spooktacular on Saturday.

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The family-friendly event also will have vendors on hand as well as a face painter, balloon artist, basket raffles, a bake sale, food, the Parma Police K9 unit and music.

Carol Kovach, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2022

Adjective

The suit claims that Woodbridge has rejected multiple attempts for zoning changes that would facilitate more multi-family housing over the span of decades.

Hartford Courant, 30 Aug. 2022 The NRP Group can tout multiple years of double-digit growth and a long list of awards for developing affordable multi-family housing nationwide.

Brenda Cain, cleveland, 26 June 2022 In its draft plan to meet California’s housing requirement, Atherton — home to roughly 7,000 residents, many of them extremely wealthy — had proposed rezoning certain properties to allow for construction of multi-family housing.

Danielle Echeverria, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Aug. 2022 Atherton has never had multi-family housing, which is often credited as a means of improving both racial and economic diversity.

Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2022 But more development, including multi-family housing, needs to start.

Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Currently, Goodyear has built multi-family homes that represent around 13% of the housing developments in the city.

Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 July 2022 It is being built next to a 319-unit multi-family development of market rate housing.

Steve Lord, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2022 Beyond the 36% owned by the trust, Spanos, Berberian and their siblings, Michael and Alexis , each own 15% of the Chargers, with the remaining 4% belonging to non-family members.

Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 See More

Kids Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfa-mə-lē How to pronounce family (audio)

ˈfam-lē

plural families

: a social group made up of parents and their children

: a group of people who come from the same ancestor

You resemble your mother's side of the family.

: a group of people living together : household

: a group of things sharing certain characteristics

a family of languages

: a group of related living things (as plants or animals) that ranks above the genus and below the order in scientific classification

Domestic cats, lions, and tigers are some of the members of the cat family.

Medical Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfam-(ə-)lē How to pronounce family (audio)

plural families

: the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children

also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family

a single-parent family

: a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera

Legal Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə- How to pronounce family (audio)

plural families

: a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption

: a group of usually related individuals who live together under common household authority and especially who have reciprocal duties to each other

Note: The interpretation of the word family in a law context depends upon the area of the law concerned (as contract or zoning law), the purpose of the document (as a statute or contract) in which it is used, and the facts of the case. Often for zoning purposes, the occupants of a group home are considered a family if the organization is like that of a family or if the home is going to be a permanent rather than a transitional residence for the occupants.

family

noun

as in clan

a group of persons who come from the same ancestor the Adams family made remarkable contributions to American life for more than two centuries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

clan
house
tribe
household
folks
people
lineage
race
kin
descendant
kinfolk
kindred
kinfolks
dynasty
blood
kinsfolk
relative
stock
descendent
offspring
nuclear family
extended family
line
brood
blended family
kith
progeny
scion
kinsman
clansman
seed
issue
kinswoman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

birth
origin
ancestry
descent
extraction
pedigree

as in kind

one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the flute, the clarinet, the oboe, and other members of the woodwind family

Synonyms & Similar Words

kind
type
group
category
class
species
genus
generation
classification
sort
tier
league
variety
set
bracket
breed
division
section
grade
rank(s)
order
kidney
like
branch
specialty
race
nature
subgroup
subdivision
rubric
description
subspecies
speciality
manner
ilk
subclass
heading
label
feather
title

单词	family
释义	family 1 of 2 noun fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē ˈfa-mə- plural families 1 a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family a single-parent family b : spouse and children want to spend more time with my family 2 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household 3 a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clan b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock 4 a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship b : the staff of a high official (such as the President) 5 : a group of things related by common characteristics: such as a : a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds b : a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (such as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classification c : a group of related languages descended from a single ancestral language 6 a : a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera b in livestock breeding (1) : the descendants or line of a particular individual especially of some outstanding female (2) : an identifiable strain within a breed 7 : a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters 8 : a unit of a crime syndicate (such as the Mafia) operating within a geographical area familyhood ˈfam-lē-ˌhu̇d ˈfa-mə- noun family 2 of 2 adjective 1 : of or relating to a family (see family entry 1) 2 : designed or suitable for both children and adults family restaurants family movies Did you know? What is a family? The answer to the question “what does family mean?” is both difficult to answer and highly subjective. The word has shifted its meaning considerably since it entered our language, currently contains many different senses, and in at least one of these senses may signify different things to different people. The earliest uses of family denoted “a group of persons in the service of an individual,” a sense that is now archaic. Although this early meaning may seem far afield from the way that most of us use family today, it is not surprising when we consider that the word comes from the Latin familia, which meant “household,” a designation that included both servants and relatives. In modern use family may refer to one of a number of different groups of people or things collectively, such as chemical compounds, related languages, plants and animals, and people who may or may not share ancestry. Family is often encountered in legal use, but even within the jargon of the law it is not restricted to a single meaning. In many legal contexts family denotes “individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption,” but in others the definition may be somewhat broader, encompassing groups of individuals not related by these things. Synonyms Noun blood clan folks house kin kindred kinfolk kinfolks kinsfolk line lineage people race stock tribe See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun The disappearance of decent-paying low-skilled jobs over the last 30 years makes it virtually impossible for a young high-school dropout to successfully support a family on a legitimate income. Karen De Witt, Essence, August 1994 A defendant in a racketeering trial was described yesterday as a Mafia captain who had carried out a plot to kill three rivals in the Bonanno crime family. Arnold H. Lubasch, New York Times, 30 Apr. 1987 Nobody ever came to the farm—through "the big gate," a mile off on the pike—except kin and a family named Rawls: a widow with two daughters and a son, my only playmate. Robert Penn Warren, Jefferson Davis Gets His Citizenship Back, 1980 It was quite an understood thing in the family that Lord Fawn must marry money. Anthony Trollope, The Eustace Diamonds, 1871 There were a lot of families at the circus. The show is fun for the whole family. a death in the family There are several doctors on his mother's side of the family. She wants to spend more time with her family. After his father's death he became the head of the family. She's a friend of the family. He spent a quiet evening at home with family. trying to find a balance between work and family He's devoted to his wife and family. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun Several family-friendly camping areas include Brazos Bend State Park, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Double Lake Recreation Area and Huntsville State Park. Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 9 Sep. 2022 Photographers captured a quiet night at home for the whole family, at Windsor in 1969. Staff Author Published, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 In recent years, Apple has promised customers that its products can help create a safer digital environment for them – one with stronger privacy protections and family-friendly content. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Other features include live entertainment, family-friendly games, and a fireplace with both indoor and outdoor seating. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Entry tickets to the family-friendly festival are $5 and kids are free. Jason Gonzalez, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 Check out the best family-friendly exhibits, classes and shows. Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Sep. 2022 SeaWorld Orlando breaks out its second-ever edition of Howl-O-Scream on Friday, then starts its more family-friendly Spooktacular on Saturday. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 The family-friendly event also will have vendors on hand as well as a face painter, balloon artist, basket raffles, a bake sale, food, the Parma Police K9 unit and music. Carol Kovach, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2022 Adjective The suit claims that Woodbridge has rejected multiple attempts for zoning changes that would facilitate more multi-family housing over the span of decades. Hartford Courant, 30 Aug. 2022 The NRP Group can tout multiple years of double-digit growth and a long list of awards for developing affordable multi-family housing nationwide. Brenda Cain, cleveland, 26 June 2022 In its draft plan to meet California’s housing requirement, Atherton — home to roughly 7,000 residents, many of them extremely wealthy — had proposed rezoning certain properties to allow for construction of multi-family housing. Danielle Echeverria, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Aug. 2022 Atherton has never had multi-family housing, which is often credited as a means of improving both racial and economic diversity. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2022 But more development, including multi-family housing, needs to start. Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Currently, Goodyear has built multi-family homes that represent around 13% of the housing developments in the city. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 July 2022 It is being built next to a 319-unit multi-family development of market rate housing. Steve Lord, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2022 Beyond the 36% owned by the trust, Spanos, Berberian and their siblings, Michael and Alexis , each own 15% of the Chargers, with the remaining 4% belonging to non-family members. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun and Adjective Middle English familie, from Latin familia household (including servants as well as kin of the householder), from famulus servant First Known Use Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Adjective 1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing family blended family anti-family extended family family Bible family doctor family court family business family friend family history family name family man family life family pet family physician family practice family resemblance family room family reunion family tree family style first family family values family way immediate family inter-family natural family planning nuclear family pro-family raise a family start a family the family jewels two-family house/dwelling welfare family family jewels family planning nontraditional family family leave family practitioner family day foster family See More blended family anti-family extended family family Bible family doctor family court family business family friend family history family name family man family life family pet family physician family practice family resemblance family room family reunion family tree family style first family family values family way immediate family inter-family natural family planning nuclear family pro-family raise a family start a family the family jewels two-family house/dwelling welfare family family jewels family planning nontraditional family family leave family practitioner family day foster family See More Kids Definition family noun fam·i·ly ˈfa-mə-lē ˈfam-lē plural families 1 : a social group made up of parents and their children 2 : a group of people who come from the same ancestor You resemble your mother's side of the family. 3 : a group of people living together : household 4 : a group of things sharing certain characteristics a family of languages 5 : a group of related living things (as plants or animals) that ranks above the genus and below the order in scientific classification Domestic cats, lions, and tigers are some of the members of the cat family. Medical Definition family noun fam·i·ly ˈfam-(ə-)lē plural families 1 : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family a single-parent family 2 : a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera Legal Definition family noun fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə- plural families 1 : a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption 2 : a group of usually related individuals who live together under common household authority and especially who have reciprocal duties to each other Note: The interpretation of the word family in a law context depends upon the area of the law concerned (as contract or zoning law), the purpose of the document (as a statute or contract) in which it is used, and the facts of the case. Often for zoning purposes, the occupants of a group home are considered a family if the organization is like that of a family or if the home is going to be a permanent rather than a transitional residence for the occupants. family noun 1 as in clan a group of persons who come from the same ancestor the Adams family made remarkable contributions to American life for more than two centuries Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance clan house tribe household folks people lineage race kin descendant kinfolk kindred kinfolks dynasty blood kinsfolk relative stock descendent offspring nuclear family extended family line brood blended family kith progeny scion kinsman clansman seed issue kinswoman Antonyms & Near Antonyms birth origin ancestry descent extraction pedigree 2 as in kind one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic the flute, the clarinet, the oboe, and other members of the woodwind family Synonyms & Similar Words kind type group category class species genus generation classification sort tier league variety set bracket breed division section grade rank(s) order kidney like branch specialty race nature subgroup subdivision rubric description subspecies speciality manner ilk subclass heading label feather title Phrases Containing family blended family extended family family tree family name nuclear family family way blended family extended family family tree family name nuclear family family way
随便看	paragastrula paragastrular parage parageneses paragenesias paragenesis paragenetic paragenetically parageosyncline parages paraglide paraglider paragliders paragliding paraglossa paraglossae paraglossal paraglossate paraglossia paraglycogen paragnath paragnatha paragnathism paragnathous paragnathus

family

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing family

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

noun

Phrases Containing family