immediate family

American  

[ih-mee-dee-it fam-uh-lee, fam lee] / ɪˈmi di ɪt ˈfæm ə li, ˈfæm li /

noun

1. a social unit consisting of people who are very closely related, usually including parents, siblings, spouses, and children, or the members of this social unit.

   Benefits include free medical treatment for the employee and immediate family.

   Members of her immediate family and several former colleagues were also in attendance.

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Etymology

Origin of immediate family

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

“People were upset, depressed and scared,” and all they had were their phones, Zoom and immediate family, said Karen North, a professor of digital social media and psychology at USC.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

More than two thirds come from low-income homes with no history of university attendance in the immediate family.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Under the federal conflicts-of-interest statute, government officials are forbidden from taking part in a “particular matter” that can financially benefit them or their immediate family unless they have a special waiver from the government.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

During his last UK visit in September, Harry met with the king, seeking to start to repair a bitter rift with his immediate family.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

The African sense of immediate family is far different from that of the European or Westerner.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela