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

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

"This evening we gather to send a message of love and support to his parents and the whole family circle of Brownes and Collins," Fr Fraser added.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2023

“Even though we knew that the family circumstances were challenging, we didn’t want to take him out of the family circle because they have a very close-knit family,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022

She also felt as a caring grandmother that she needed to comfort Diana's sons in the privacy of the family circle.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 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