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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:

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

“Paddington in Peru” is still incredibly touching in its story of acceptance from both one’s found family and birth family.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2025

Most adopted children grow up without seeing or knowing any of their birth family.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2024

“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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