immediate family

American  

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

noun

• immediate families
  plural

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• immediate families
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of immediate family

First recorded in 1730–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

immediate family

Zhao and his immediate family members will be ineligible for entry into the United States, Washington said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

I don’t know how best to help without having my own immediate family suffer because of all the time I’m away and the money I spend on gas, taking him out to eat, etc.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

The immediate family of the country western star who died last week gathered at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville on Friday morning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026

There are a few exemptions, such as if an immediate family member is living in the home or if it is rented out long-term.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

All of his immediate family, his wife Clytemnestra, his children, Iphigenia, Orestes and Electra, were as well known as he was.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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