immediate family
noun
: a person's parents, brothers and sisters, husband or wife, and children
Hospital visits are limited to immediate family.
Examples of immediate family in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Friendly is survived by his immediate family, sister Lisa Friendly and brothers David Friendly, Richard Mark, Michael Mark, Jon Mark and Ruth Friendly along with many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
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Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Since the Tepes were found dead, their two children — who are both under the age of 4 — have been cared for by immediate family members.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The collision must have been caused by drugs or alcohol, and only immediate family members of the deceased can apply.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
In 1953, her mother married Frank’s father, Otto, the only member of his immediate family to survive.
—Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for immediate family
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Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Since the Tepes were found dead, their two children — who are both under the age of 4 — have been cared for by immediate family members.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The collision must have been caused by drugs or alcohol, and only immediate family members of the deceased can apply.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
In 1953, her mother married Frank’s father, Otto, the only member of his immediate family to survive.
—Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for immediate family
Cite this Entry
“Immediate family.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immediate%20family. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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