nuclear family

noun

: a family group that consists only of parents and children

Examples of nuclear family in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In this case, the one on trial is the nuclear family. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

Go take care of your nuclear family! — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026

The nuclear family was a central piece of that propaganda. — Samira Mehta, The Conversation, 6 May 2026

Their close relationships highlighted how different families can look at a time where the nuclear family was the standard. — Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nuclear family

• multifamily
• nonfamily
• stepfamily
• subfamily

Kids Definition

nuclear family

noun

: a family group that consists only of father, mother, and children

Medical Definition

nuclear family

noun

: a family group that consists only of father, mother, and children see extended family