family values

plural noun

: values especially of a traditional or conservative kind which are held to promote the sound functioning of the family and to strengthen the fabric of society

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Stimson pointed to how the SPLC designated the Family Research Council, a Christian nonprofit that promotes traditional family values, as a hate group. Fox News, 8 Mar. 2023 Volunteering for a cause important to you, sustaining family values and relationships, and sharing your talents and experiences with others all embody this concept of leaving your mark on the world as mortality becomes more imminent. BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023 The controversy over gas stoves is just the latest subject in the nation’s ongoing culture war, a dynamic popularized in recent years in which cultural issues like family values and religion are taking over politics. Time, 14 Jan. 2023 Hughes’ parents carried their proud Irish Catholic heritage and tightknit family values from Philadelphia to Texas. Dallas News, 3 Jan. 2023 Amid that on-screen conflict, fans have taken note to the strong family values that the Flenory parents worked diligently to instill in their sons, despite the call of the streets ultimately proving stronger. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 3 Jan. 2023 Amazing trails, amazing family values, good common sense here. Rachel Dickerson, Arkansas Online, 2 Jan. 2023 While the two boys were living at home, their father instilled in them strong family values and a mistrust for the outside world. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022 Suppose companies continue boasting family values as a core component of their internal mission statement but don’t take appropriate human resource action to back it up. Adam Povlitz, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'family values.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of family values was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near family values

Cite this Entry

“Family values.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family%20values. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY