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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:

A man whose biological mother was forced to give him up for adoption said it took him 45 years to trace his birth family.

From BBC Jun. 23, 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

It also apologised for the distress caused by giving Mark access to information about his birth family.

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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