primary social group; parents and children
"he wanted to have a good job before starting a family"
a loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities
"The police finally dismantled the notorious crime family that had been terrorizing the neighborhood for decades."
an association of people who share common beliefs or activities
"the message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family"
"the church welcomed new members into its fellowship"
A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; for example, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family.
"The entire family gathered at the kitchen table to celebrate her promotion."
In plain English: A family is the group of people who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption and usually live together.
"The whole family went to the beach for their summer vacation."
Usage: Use "family" to refer to a group of people connected by blood, marriage, or adoption, such as parents living with their children. It specifically denotes this close-knit unit rather than extended relatives or distant cousins.
Suitable for children and adults.
"We booked tickets to the new movie because it is rated as family-friendly entertainment for everyone."
"They are a very loving family."
Usage: When used as an adjective, family describes entertainment or activities designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages together. Use this term before nouns like movies or vacations to indicate content that is safe and appropriate for both children and adults.
The word family entered English from the Latin familia, which originally meant "a household." It replaced the native Old English term hīred to describe a group of related people living together.