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family

1 family /ˈfæmli/ noun
plural families
1 family
/ˈfæmli/
noun
plural families
Britannica Dictionary definition of FAMILY
: a group of people who are related to each other
◊ This sense of family can refer to a group that consists of parents and their children or it can refer to a bigger group of related people including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. It is often used specifically of a group of related people who live together in one house.
[count]
[noncount]
◊ To be treated like one of the family or like family is to be treated in a very warm and kind way, like a member of someone's family.
◊ You can informally describe someone as a member of your family by saying that he or she is family.
◊ If something runs in the family or runs in someone's family, it occurs in all or many members of a family.
see also extended family, nuclear family
[count] : a person's children
[count] : a group of related people including people who lived in the past
Usage In U.S. English, family is used with a singular verb. In British English, family can also be used with a plural verb.
[count] : a group of people who resemble a family in some way
[count] : a group of things that are alike in some way
[count] : a group of related plants or animals
[count] : a group of criminals who work together in an organized way
2 family /ˈfæmli/ adjective
2 family
/ˈfæmli/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of FAMILY
always used before a noun
: of or relating to a family
: designed or suitable for both children and adults

the family jewels

see jewel