family

Universal Words noun, adjective noun (plural families) 1 [C+sing./pl.v.] a group consisting of one or two parents and their children: the other members of my family * Almost every family in the country owns a television. * All my family enjoy skiing. * one-parent / single-parent families * a family of four * families with young children * He's a friend of the family (= he is known and liked by the parents and the children). seealsoNUCLEARFAMILY 2 [C+sing./pl.v.,U] a group consisting of one or two parents, their children and close relations: All our family came to Grandad's eightieth birthday party. * The support of family and friends is vital. * We've only told the immediate family (= the closest relations). * the Royal Family (= the children and close relations of the king or queen) * I always think of you as one of the family. * (informal) She's family (= she is a relation). seealsoEXTENDEDFAMILY 3 [C+sing./pl.v.] all the people who are related to each other, including those who are now dead: Some families have farmed in this area for hundreds of years. * This painting has been in our family for generations. 4 [C+sing./pl.v.,U] a couple's or a person's children, especially young children: They have a large family. * I addressed it to Mr and Mrs Jones and family. * Do they plan to start a family (= have children)? * to bring up / raise a family 5 [C] a group of related animals and plants; a group of related things, especially languages: Lions belong to the cat family. * the Germanic family of languages IDIOMS (be / get) in the family way (old-fashioned, informal) (to be/become) pregnant run in the family to be a common feature in a particular family: Heart disease runs in the family. adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 connected with the family or a particular family: family life * your family background * family ties / connections * It's a family tradition. 2 owned by a family: a family business * the family car 3 suitable for all members of a family, both adults and children: a family show * family entertainment