'''Family''' ({{lang-la|familia}}, {{plural form}}: '''{{lang|la|familiae}}''') is one of the eight major hierarchical [[taxonomic rank]]s in [[Linnaean taxonomy]]. It is classified between [[order (biology)|order]] and [[genus]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-19 |title=Taxonomy - Definition, Classification & Example |url=https://biologydictionary.net/taxonomy/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Biology Dictionary |language=en-US}}</ref> A family may be divided into [[subfamily|subfamilies]], which are intermediate ranks between the ranks of family and genus. The official family names are [[Latin]] in origin; however, popular names are often used: for example, [[Juglans|walnut trees]] and [[Hickory|hickory trees]] belong to the family [[Juglandaceae]], but that family is commonly referred to as the "walnut family".
The delineation of what constitutes a family, or whether a described family should be acknowledged, is established and decided upon by active taxonomists. There are not strict regulations for outlining or acknowledging a family, yet in the realm of plants, these classifications often rely on both the vegetative and reproductive characteristics of plant species. Taxonomists frequently hold varying perspectives on these descriptions, leading to a lack of widespread consensus within the scientific community for extended periods. The continual publication of new data and diverse opinions plays a crucial role in facilitating adjustments and ultimately reaching a consensus over time.
