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immediate family

American

[ih-mee-dee-it fam-uh-lee, fam lee] / ɪˈmi di ɪt ˈfæm ə li, ˈfæm li /

noun

a social unit consisting of people who are very closely related, usually including parents, siblings, spouses, and children, or the members of this social unit.

Benefits include free medical treatment for the employee and immediate family.
Members of her immediate family and several former colleagues were also in attendance.

Etymology

Origin of immediate family

First recorded in 1730–40

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.

More than two thirds come from low-income homes with no history of university attendance in the immediate family.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

During his last UK visit in September, Harry met with the king, seeking to start to repair a bitter rift with his immediate family.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Abdu Kharouf’s immediate family said they believe the intelligence documents, having long suspected their cousin turned on them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Being in the same room as an immediate family member but not being able to truly communicate with them is inherently bleak.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2025

His immediate family was with him in the house.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023