first family

American  

noun

1. a family having the highest or one of the highest social ranks in a given place.

2. (often initial capital letters) the family of the president of the U.S. or the family of the governor of a state.

3. a family descended from a colonist or early settler in a country, region, etc..

   one of the first families of Virginia.

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Etymology

Origin of first family

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Hewitt shared scenes from Scottie Rose Hewitt Davidson’s arrival, including their first family selfie, images from the labor room and snaps of her own post-push sushi meal.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025

Being a counselor at the camp amounts to enrolling in football graduate school and learning directly from the first family of football—Archie, Peyton and Eli.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

He also apologised to the president for any impression the audio may have created that the first family was corrupt.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

It was Mr Kerry's first family holiday abroad, but he died within 36 hours of arriving.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2024

They live in a larger hut than the first family, but still we are relegated to the corner of the room.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung