26984 words

families

8 definitions • 22 examples
1
a group of people who are related to each other, such as a mother, a father, and their children:

Examples:

A new family has/have moved in next door.
I come from a large family - I have three brothers and two sisters.
He doesn't have any family.
He's American but his family (= relatives in the past) come/comes from Ireland.
This movie is good family entertainment (= something that can be enjoyed by parents and children together).
family life How do you like family life (= being married, having children, etc.)?
2
the children of a family:

Examples:

Women shouldn't have to choose between career and family (= having children).
start a family Paul and Ana are hoping to start a family (= have children) soon.
raise a family My dad died when we were small so my mum raised the family on her own.
3
a group of people who care about each other because they have a close relationship or shared interests:

Examples:

Since our time at school we have come to regard each other as family.
His new employers welcomed him into their corporate family.
We must work together to combat the issues affecting our African family.
4
a pair of adult animals and their babies:

Examples:

family of We've got a family of squirrels living in our garden.
5

Examples:

The lion is a member of the cat family.
Plant crops from the same family close together.
6
a group of things that are related or have similar qualities:

Examples:

family of Phthalates are a family of chemicals used in making plastics.
same family Cucumbers and marrows belong to the same family.
product family The business plan is grouped by product family.
7
a social group of parents, children, and sometimes grandparents, uncles, aunts, and others who are related:

Examples:

[ C ] Her family moved here when she was eleven.
[ U ] Many people cope with the demands of both career and family.
[ C ] She wants to get married and have a family (= have children).
8

Examples:

The lion is a member of the cat family.

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