Definition of "family" in English

noun

1. A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; in particular, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family.

   • Our family lives in town.

2. An extended family: a group of people who are related to one another by blood or marriage.

3. A nuclear family: a mother and father who are married and cohabiting and their child or children.

   • The cultural struggle is for the survival of family values against all manner of atheistic amorality.
   • We must preserve the family unit if we want to save civilisation!

4. (uncountable) Members of one's family collectively.

   • I have a lot of family in Australia.
   • He has a sister, but no other family.

5. A (close-knit) group of people related by blood, friendship, marriage, law, or custom, especially if they live or work together.

   • crime family, Mafia family
   • This is my fraternity family at the university.
   • Our company is one big happy family.

6. (uncountable) Lineage, especially honorable or noble lineage.

7. Any group or aggregation of things classed together as kindred or related from possessing in common characteristics which distinguish them from other things of the same order.

   • Doliracetam is a drug from the racetam family.

adjective

1. Suitable for children and adults.

   • It's not good for a date, it's a family restaurant.
   • Some animated movies are not just for kids, they are family movies.
   • This is a family restaurant, stop making out!

2. (gay slang) Homosexual.

   • I knew he was family when I first met him.