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joint family

American  

noun

  1. a type of extended family composed of parents, their children, and the children's spouses and offspring in one household.


Etymology

Origin of joint family

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

See Examples For:

These drama kings and queens of the novel are a chameleonic joint family of disjoint motives.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 23, 2026

Without exception, nuclear families headed by men got the money, undermining the joint family system and the status of women, who had previously played an important role in making key economic decisions.

From Scientific American Mar. 25, 2020

On the flip side, by Day 5 on my own, I am sad and lonely, particularly if there were no intervening school events, sports games, or joint family outings.

From Slate Jun. 13, 2017

Kinds involvement is very important on any joint family endeavor, like a vacation, so everyone feels a little bit in control and empowered.

From New York Times Aug. 9, 2016

The large house and joint family offered temptation to this custom, and has generally been believed to be to blame for it.

From Folkways A Study of the Sociological Importance of Usages, Manners, Customs, Mores, and Morals by William Graham Sumner

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