nuclear family

noun

: a family group that consists only of parents and children

Examples of nuclear family in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The audience experiences how Keisha lives humbly in an apartment in Windsor Hills with her single mom, compared to Justin who has a very nuclear family who resides in View Park. Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025 Understanding Financial Dynamics In Blended Families Working through financial dynamics in a blended family is naturally more complicated than working through differences in financial priorities in a traditional nuclear family. Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 But most are united in the belief that modern culture has failed to adequately prioritize the value of nuclear families and making lots of babies. Lisa Hagen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025 Fewer than 20 percent of U.S. households now resemble the traditional nuclear family. Mark Weinstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nuclear family

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nuclear family was in 1924

Cite this Entry

“Nuclear family.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear%20family. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

nuclear family

noun
: a family group that consists only of father, mother, and children

Medical Definition

nuclear family

noun
: a family group that consists only of father, mother, and children see extended family

More from Merriam-Webster on nuclear family

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