extended family

noun

: a family that includes in one household near relatives (such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles) in addition to a nuclear family

Given space, there are ways in which even larger populations than the extended family can be accommodated under one roof.

—Paul Oliver

also : an extensive group of people who are related by blood or marriage or who otherwise regard themselves as a large family

Four out of every five people who go through a first divorce remarry … . Thus it is that husbands and wives, their former partners, children and stepchildren, and a whole constellation of grandparents and other relatives are brought together in the new American extended family.

—Michael Norman

During his five years at Owen High, he turned his teams into an extended family and tried to instill in his players the same sense of self-worth that Baldwin had imparted to him years before.

—William Nack

Synonyms

• household
• house

Examples of extended family in a Sentence

their extended family includes a grandmother and widowed aunt

Recent Examples on the Web

My extended family had flown in to New York City from Lebanon for a wedding. —Noor Hassan, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025

Last week, Rowe’s casket, covered with an American flag, rolled down a conveyer belt surrounded by saluting Marines and was loaded into a hearse as members of his extended family watched. —Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025

While typical policies cover caregiving for children, spouses and parents, innovative companies are also covering leave for extended family members, such as siblings, grandparents, grandchildren and even some nonfamilial relationships. —Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extended family

• multifamily
• nonfamily
• stepfamily
• subfamily

Kids Definition

extended family

noun

: a family that includes parents and children and other relatives (as grandparents, aunts, or uncles) in the same household

Medical Definition

extended family

noun

: a family that includes in one household near relatives in addition to a nuclear family