family family /ˈfæməli/

noun

1. () A social unit living together  ( home , house , menage , family , household , ménage )
   a social unit living together
    He moved his family to Virginia
   he moved his family to Virginia
    It was a good Christian household
   It was a good Christian household
    I waited until the whole house was asleep
   I waited until the whole house was asleep
    The teacher asked how many people made up his home
   the teacher asked how many people made up his home
    The family refused to accept his will
   the family refused to accept his will
   
   
2. () Primary social group; parents and children  ( family unit , family )
   primary social group; parents and children
    He wanted to have a good job before starting a family
   he wanted to have a good job before starting a family
   
   
3. () A collection of things sharing a common attribute  ( family , class , category )
   a collection of things sharing a common attribute
    There are two classes of detergents
   there are two classes of detergents
   
4. () People descended from a common ancestor  ( family line , kinfolk , kinsfolk , family , folk , phratry , sept )
   people descended from a common ancestor
    His family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower
   his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower
   
5. () (biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more genera  ( family )
   (biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more genera
    Sharks belong to the fish family
   sharks belong to the fish family
   
6. () A person having kinship with another or others  ( kin , kinsperson , family )
   a person having kinship with another or others
    He's kin
   he's kin
    He's family
   he's family
   
   
7. An association of people who share common beliefs or activities  ( family , fellowship )
   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 message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family
    The church welcomed new members into its fellowship
   the church welcomed new members into its fellowship
   
8. A loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities  ( crime syndicate , family , mob , syndicate )
   a loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities