family circle

American  

noun

1. the closely related members of a family as a group.

2. a section in a theater containing less expensive seats, as the topmost gallery.

---

family circle British  

noun

1. members of a family regarded as a closed group

2. the cheap seating area in a theatre behind or above the dress circle

---

Etymology

Origin of family circle

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

They’re going to take place in the family circle, which is evident when the paterfamilias starts listing the order of his favorite sons while they’re chowing down at the breakfast table.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2023

"This evening we gather to send a message of love and support to his parents and the whole family circle of Brownes and Collins," Fr Fraser added.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2023

“Even though we knew that the family circumstances were challenging, we didn’t want to take him out of the family circle because they have a very close-knit family,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022

She’s made spending time with her family circle a priority, and lived with her mom in Chicago during the pandemic and until her final days.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

Some kind of psychological deterioration hit our family circle and began to eat away our pride.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey