family circle
Americannoun
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the closely related members of a family as a group.
-
a section in a theater containing less expensive seats, as the topmost gallery.
noun
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members of a family regarded as a closed group
-
the cheap seating area in a theatre behind or above the dress circle
Etymology
Origin of family circle
First recorded in 1800–10
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.
"My deepest condolences are with the entire family circle as well as many friends, the school family and wider community who are firmly in my thoughts and prayers."
From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2026
Frankel’s funny, heart-wrenching and thought-provoking account of how one woman’s choices can enrich the lives of others will remind you that every family circle is potentially infinite.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2024
They’re going to take place in the family circle, which is evident when the paterfamilias starts listing the order of his favorite sons while they’re chowing down at the breakfast table.
From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2023
"There is nothing this court can say or do which can reduce the undoubted pain and suffering of her parents, brother and sister and wider family circle," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2023
Some kind of psychological deterioration hit our family circle and began to eat away our pride.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
