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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.

Harker said little about his birth family, Sanchez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Children can trace their birth family online - and some will go and meet them.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2024

She'd written and called more times over the years, always in the hope that her birth family was open to connecting.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2024

He came with his adoptive father, who had encouraged him to search for his birth family.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 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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