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 of extended family

• household
• house

Examples of extended family in a Sentence

their extended family includes a grandmother and widowed aunt

Recent Examples on the Web

The guest list included his wife Bonnie Bartlett, 96, sons Michael (62) and Robert (60), their wives, four grandchildren and extended family. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

The new series brings back the grown-up and extended family together for Hal and Lois's 40th wedding anniversary, and is written by the original show's creator Linwood Boomer. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026

Think sea-view terraces, kitchens meant for real cooking, and hosts who treat you less like a guest and more like extended family. —Jenna Curcio, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026

Most importantly, spending time with extended family is a central part of our lives. —Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026

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