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birth family

American  
[burth fam-uh-lee, fam lee] / ˈbɜrθ ˌfæm ə li, ˌfæm li /

noun

  1. one's biological parents and siblings, as contrasted with one's adoptive family.


Etymology

Origin of birth family

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

She has no contact with her birth family - but Poppie wasn't alone as she took her first steps into adulthood last year.

From BBC Jun. 4, 2026

Although I was adopted, I now know my extended birth family, and none of them have cancer.

From BBC Mar. 18, 2026

Harker said little about his birth family, Sanchez said.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 11, 2026

Matt said one of the biggest errors came when the council gave Mark information about his birth family – even though the Walkers repeatedly asked for this not to happen.

From BBC Dec. 1, 2025

“Your new worker dragged out three file storage boxes. I found all sorts of information on your birth family, foster homes, schools. . . .”

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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