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 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
Prince Harry, his wife Meghan and two children will stay at royal residences during their first family trip back to the UK in four years in July, a source familiar with the matter said Saturday.
From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026
Still, after nearly nine months of parenthood, my husband and I were going stir crazy and decided we were ready for our first family vacation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 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
“What do you know about that! I didn’t suppose they’d ever do a thing like that, friend or no friend. They’re the first family around here, you know. Proud as peacocks, all of ’em.
From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit
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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.