Meaning of the word family

Family Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

1 of 2

fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē

ˈfa-mə-

: 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

ˈfa-mə-

noun

family

2 of 2

: 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?

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 in Thesaurus

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

After the win, Roccuzzo shared several adorable pictures of the family celebrating. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 26 Dec. 2022 Dakar was initially a layover on visits to see family in Nigeria. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022 The Courant spoke to her about her selective retirement, her family in Connecticut and her shift from clubs to cabaret theater. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2022 The couple was reportedly planning to spend the holiday with their kids and Lopez's family. —Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Dec. 2022 The parents-to-be are already doing Christmas family-style. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 26 Dec. 2022 They're allowed to bring immediate family or no more than one guest, and their access is limited to 10% of events for the mayor and 2% of events for the council members. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 26 Dec. 2022 More than one family sought out a midwife to coach a pregnant woman through labor. —Michael D. Regan, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2022 Students for generations have relied on secondhand clothes from thrift stores or family. —Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2022

Like in other members’ districts, housing efforts will see large investments: $750,000 was allotted for the expansion of affordable multi-family rental housing for the Falls Village section of Canaan. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 24 Dec. 2022 Certain properties may require VA-approval prior to purchasing with your home loan benefit, like condos or certain multi-family units. —Kaitlyn Koterbski, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2022 The state law mandates that MBTA communities zone for multi-family housing near transit stations. —John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Nov. 2022 Starting in December, multi-family housing will be required to provide 10% of parking spaces with EV outlets. —Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2022 Low income housing tax credits don’t cover entire construction projects for multi-family housing, so developers typically pair the credits with additional state or federal grants, Nash-Giovannucci said. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 18 Nov. 2022 An out-of-state investor paid $390,000 for a 4,800-square-foot, multi-family building at 1108 Oak St., in Mobile, according to Andrew Dickman of Stirling Properties, who handled the transaction. —Kathy Jumper, al, 28 Aug. 2022 The pro-family component was a $500-a-child tax credit. —Scott A. Hodge, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2022 Have an inter-family rivalry that could come to a boiling point during upcoming holiday gatherings? —Milton J. Valencia, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'family. ' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of family was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near

family

famille verte

family

family allowance

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Style

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“Family. ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family. Accessed 1 Jan. 2023.

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Kids Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly

ˈfam-(ə-)lē

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

: a group of persons who come from the same ancestor

: a group of things having common characteristics

especially : a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds

: a social group composed of one or two parents and their children

: a social group different from but considered equal to the traditional family

: a group of related plants or animals ranking in biological classification above a genus and below an order

Medical Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfam-(ə-)lē

: 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

family adjective

Legal Definition

family

noun

fam·i·ly ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə-

: 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.

familial

fə-ˈmil-yəl

adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on

family

Nglish: Translation of family for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of family for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about family

Last Updated: 28 Dec 2022 - Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

78 Synonyms & Antonyms of FAMILY

See Definition

family

See Dictionary Definition

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

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

birth
origin
ancestry
descent
extraction
pedigree

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

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

Thesaurus Entries Near

family

families

family

family doctor

See More Nearby Entries

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“Family. ” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/family. Accessed 1 Jan. 2023.

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What is a family - definition, how it arises, why it is needed, functions, concept in psychology and sociology

Family is an integral part of society, which contributes to the formation of a harmonious personality. Without it, a person becomes lonely, cut off from society. Everyone wants to have close and beloved people waiting for him at home, supporting and giving a sense of support. nine0011

In this article we will talk about what a family is, how it arises, why it is needed, why we strive to create an alliance with a loved one, what significance it has in the life of each of us.

Definition of the word "family": what is it in psychology, sociology, pedagogy, jurisprudence

This term is studied by a variety of sciences, and each gives its own interpretation.

In sociology, the concept refers to several people who are united by consanguinity or marriage. nine0011

In a legal sense, these are people who live together and are connected with each other by legal relations that have appeared after the official registration of marriage.

The law of the Russian Federation interprets the surname as an organized group of people connected by a common life and moral responsibility.

Psychologists base the concept on personal relationships, noting the important role of education, the continuity of traditions from older to younger.

The term "family" has many definitions and concepts, but in general it is a cell of society that connects two people with a common life and relationships formalized by law. nine0011

How the family came into being: an excursion into history

At the dawn of evolution, people lived in communities or loners. According to scientists, the first unions began to emerge when ancient women stopped choosing alpha males and switched their attention to male earners who were more faithful.

The change of priorities occurred for practical reasons - a reliable man could provide food for a woman and children throughout her life. It was calmer with him.

While the alpha males fought for women, the miners brought meat and skins to their chosen ones and arranged a dwelling. Therefore, the representatives of the weaker sex quickly figured out with whom it is more profitable to live. nine0011

Historians interpret meaning a little differently than lawyers or sociologists. According to the opinion, a group of people who have a common ancestor can be safely called a cell of society.

Each cell has several components.

Base. This role is played by marriage. The conclusion of a formal union provides both parties with the establishment of marital rights and obligations.
System of relations. This includes not only relations between spouses, but also family ties - children, brothers, mothers-in-law, and so on. There are about 70% of them in Russia. nine0004
Composition. Legislative legal acts list in detail the circle of persons forming one clan. In different types of codes - labor, civil or any other, the composition of this cell is different.

Signs and functions

We were able to define the concept of a modern family, now let's talk about its signs and functions:

Any unit of society is determined by the presence of the following signs: nine0004

housekeeping, cohabitation;

acquisition of material assets;

having close, intimate relationships;

having one or more children.

Functions:

Procreation. The reproductive function is the most important, it is inherent in us by nature. And thanks to the traditions that have developed in society, the purpose of marriage is the birth and upbringing of children.
Creation and accumulation of common material values, joint management. nine0004
Education. The goal is to educate and educate your children, instill in them moral values, norms of behavior in society, and also adapt them to a normal life in it.
Preservation of traditions and values. They contribute to the strengthening and preservation of ties, ensure the continuity of generations and form the history of the family. Unions that have their own tribal traditions are more tightly connected, because different generations of people interact more with each other.

Family structure

As a result of the development of society, scientists have identified several types of unions.

By the number of partners - monogamous and polygamous. The former represent the union of one woman and one man, the latter allow living with several partners at the same time. Most families are monogamous. Religion often contributes to this. In the Orthodox tradition, the love of one man and one woman is sealed by marriage.
According to the structure of family ties - simple and nuclear. In simple ones, parents and their children live together, and in nuclear ones, several generations lead a common household. nine0004
By the number of children - childless, small children and large families.
By type of residence. If the newlyweds live with the wife's parents, it is matrilocal, if with the husband's parents, it is patrilocal. Spouses living separately belong to the neolocal type.
According to the form of government - matriarchy, patriarchy, democracy. The matriarchal is dominated by a woman. She takes a lot of responsibility and makes most of the decisions. In the patriarchal, all power is concentrated in the hands of a man. In a democratic marriage, both spouses have equal responsibility and make decisions jointly. nine0004
According to social status - young, adopted, established.
According to the moral and psychological state - prosperous, dysfunctional.
According to the material condition - wealthy or needy.

Family resources and their types

This term refers to all property, material values, sources of income of the husband and wife.

Resources can be divided into several categories.

Material. These include real estate, cars, household appliances, valuables, jewelry. Each clan seeks to acquire certain resources, as they provide a comfortable stay for its members. nine0004
Labor. All relatives do some housework: cooking, cleaning, repairing, etc. All this put together is called labor resources.
Financial - cash, bank accounts, securities, shares, deposits. Financial resources provide an opportunity to acquire material.
Informational. They are also called technological, as they represent a technology for performing some kind of household chore. For example, a mother cooks food and teaches her daughter or son to cook in the same way. In different cells of society, technological processes take place in different ways, and therefore the resources are different. A feature of these processes is that they often develop into traditions. nine0004

Resources are an important component that allows you to solve various everyday problems, achieve the necessary goals and satisfy the needs of people.

Why a family is needed

Human psychology is such that he cannot be alone, he definitely needs close people who love him and whom he loves.

The family, as already mentioned above, is the cell of society, its structural unit. Its role is to satisfy human needs, not only in the material and physical planes, but also in the spiritual. nine0011

When a new couple is formed, the spiritual component is in the first place, because two people are in love, they like to spend time with each other, share their thoughts and experiences. In such a union, a person receives love, understanding, support, without which it is difficult to live in society.

The emotional component of the cell of society consists of feelings. For some, love and mutual understanding prevail, for others, negative emotions predominate - reproaches, resentment, anger, and so on.

It is believed that all unions go through different stages of their existence - falling in love, grinding, the stage of tolerance. Mature couples who have lived together for many years and have gone through all the stages come to true love. Many fall apart during the grinding stages, when there is a lot of conflict.

What is a modern family and what is its significance

Unlike the times of the USSR, modern unions are autonomous and closed to society. Interference in their affairs occurs only in extreme cases, when this cell becomes destructive. In Soviet times, it was more open to the state. Supervisory authorities monitored the development of each formalized relationship between citizens. When conflicts and divorces arose, they intervened and tried to influence, took possible steps to resolve quarrels and save the marriage. nine0011

Distinctive features: the uniqueness of the unions of the new time

Today, the family cannot be defined unambiguously because of the different types - Swedish, adopted, open, and so on. The essence of the relationship between the sexes has long gone beyond the classical formula: one woman, one man and children. In the Russian Federation, same-sex and Swedish marriages are prohibited, but in some foreign countries they are recognized by law, and this phenomenon is considered the norm.

Let us note some features that characterize the unions of our country over the past 25 years:

Increase in the number of legal marriages. Young couples increasingly prefer to formalize their relationship at the registry office, although the institution of civil marriage still exists.
Increase in the age of marriage. The average age of the newlyweds is 22 years, while 30-40 years ago the newlyweds barely passed the age of majority, and 50 years ago our grandparents got married even earlier: at 15-16 years old. The maturation of the newlyweds is associated with the need to receive a higher education and the need to arrange everyday life. Modern youth in most cases thinks about a career and preparing the ground for marriage. nine0004
Later birth of children after the formalization of the relationship. According to statistics, the appearance of the first child falls on 3-5 years of marriage.
Desire to live separately from parents. From tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union, several generations lived in the same house. After the wedding, the newlyweds did not seek to separate and lived with the parents of the wife or husband, led a common life and even a budget. Modern couples tend to start living separately as soon as possible.
Showing interest in traditions. Modern youth is increasingly thinking about their roots, origins and ancestors. Compilation of their family tree, pedigree has become popular. This surge of interest is normal. At a certain period in the life of the country, it was not customary to talk about origin, especially for those whose ancestors were not peasants, but princes, landowners and merchants. You can save your traditions and strengthen family ties by creating a family tree. The "House of Genealogy" will help with this. The company's specialists will find information about ancestors and relatives in the archives, draw up a genealogical book, which can become not only a good gift, but also a real relic. nine0004

The state in the 21st century pays more attention to the development of the institution of the family, improving its quality, and developing spiritual values. Today, marriage is a sign of a person's well-being, his support and support. Times change, but the basic principles of building relationships between a man and a woman remain unchanged: love, mutual respect, trust and care.

The role of the family in a person's life

It is of great importance for the children who live in it. It helps to determine their moral guidelines. Despite the fact that in kindergartens, schools, sections and circles, teachers strive to convey to the little man basic knowledge, skills, moral truths, the experience of mom and dad, their attitude towards each other plays a major role in shaping the personality of the baby. nine0011

Parents, grandparents pledge:

ability to love;
understanding of their traditions;
attitude towards people, including the opposite sex;
the ability to appreciate help and provide it yourself;
line of conduct in society and the ability to live harmoniously in it.

Only among relatives and friends does a person feel protected.

Meaning of the word family

Family Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition

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78 Synonyms & Antonyms of FAMILY

Thesaurus Entries Near

Cite this Entry

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Meaning of words - collection of dictionaries on Glosum.

What is a family - definition, how it arises, why it is needed, functions, concept in psychology and sociology

Definition of the word "family": what is it in psychology, sociology, pedagogy, jurisprudence

How the family came into being: an excursion into history

Signs and functions

Any unit of society is determined by the presence of the following signs: nine0004

Functions:

Family structure

Family resources and their types

Why a family is needed

What is a modern family and what is its significance

Distinctive features: the uniqueness of the unions of the new time

The role of the family in a person's life

Learn more