joint family


noun
  1. a type of extended family composed of parents, their children, and the children's spouses and offspring in one household.

Origin of joint family

1
First recorded in 1875–80
  • Also called joint household.

Words Nearby joint family

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use joint family in a sentence

  • It is but rarely that related families live together more or less permanently, forming the beginning of the joint family.

  • The joint family, which is characteristic of the heroic era, takes the place of the clan.

  • The enlarged monogamous family, the so-called ancient or joint family, makes its appearance.

  • Hence the joint family directly impresses one as being an extension of the individual family.

  • This third characteristic has frequently caused the typical joint family to be called the 'patriarchal family.'