first family
Americannoun
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a family having the highest or one of the highest social ranks in a given place.
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(often initial capital letters) the family of the president of the U.S. or the family of the governor of a state.
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a family descended from a colonist or early settler in a country, region, etc..
one of the first families of Virginia.
Etymology
Origin of first family
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45
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.
The visit, to mark the one-year countdown to next year's Invictus Games for wounded veterans, was meant to be Harry's first family trip back to the UK in four years.
From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026
The first family has made crypto a particular focus, and the president has also advanced policies to lighten regulation of the emerging sector.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
In some instances, the first family has profited from the push.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026
DIY Dad, as he is known online, started making videos while renovating his first family home in Ipswich, creating a series called Dad Showed Me.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2026
After we’d been together for a month, I took Adam home with me for his first family dinner with us.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
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.
