family circle

American  

noun

1. the closely related members of a family as a group.

2. a section in a theater containing less expensive seats, as the topmost gallery.

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family circle British  

noun

1. members of a family regarded as a closed group

2. the cheap seating area in a theatre behind or above the dress circle

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Etymology

Origin of family circle

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

“She would write in the day and then read aloud in the family circle at night, which they all did.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2025

The safeguarding board said it welcomed the outcome of the criminal proceedings and the justice it has provided for Roman and Morgana and their mothers, and it offered its condolences to the wider family circle.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

She’s made spending time with her family circle a priority, and lived with her mom in Chicago during the pandemic and until her final days.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

Back in the family circle, I remarked to myself how like a cyclopean eye was the belly of the red-hot stove.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou