noun

nuclear family

NOO-klee-er FAM-uh-lee

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Nuclear family (noun) means a household made up of two parents and their dependent children, living apart from grandparents and other relatives. Example: “Post-war housing policy was built around the nuclear family.”

noun

A household made up of two parents and their dependent children, living apart from grandparents and other relatives.

"Post-war housing policy was built around the nuclear family."

"Fewer than half of children in the country now grow up in a nuclear family."

How to use nuclear family

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMum, dad and the kids living together, with no other relatives in the house.

When to use it

Standard in sociology and journalism. It can carry a mildly conservative or nostalgic tone in political writing.

Memory tip

Pronounce it NOO-klee-er; NOO-kyuh-ler is widely heard but widely criticised.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

extended family blended family immediate family household →

Common pairings

traditional nuclear family the decline of the nuclear family nuclear family household

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “nuclear family” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Post-war housing policy was built around the _____.

Etymology

From nuclear in its original sense of "forming a nucleus or core", from Latin nucleus "kernel" — the core unit of kin. It has nothing to do with nuclear energy, which draws on the same root by way of the atomic nucleus.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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immediate family conjugal family elementary family

Antonyms

extended family

Rhymes for nuclear family

ILY oily lily wily daily gaily Emily doily family Sicily easily bodily

See all rhymes for nuclear family →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a nuclear family and an extended family?

A nuclear family is just parents and their children under one roof. An extended family adds other relatives — grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins — either living together or functioning as one close household unit.

Is a single parent with children a nuclear family?

Strictly, no: sociologists usually class that as a single-parent or lone-parent family, since the classic definition requires two parents. Some modern writers stretch the term to any parents-and-children unit, so the sense should be checked in academic use.

Why is it called nuclear?

Because nucleus means kernel or core: it is the core unit of a family, everything else being additional. The word predates the atomic sense of nuclear and carries no connection to it.

What is the meaning of nuclear family?

"nuclear family" (noun) means a household made up of two parents and their dependent children, living apart from grandparents and other relatives.