# CREATE_OPERATOR_FAMILY - define a new operator family - man(7) - [phpMan]

_CREATE_ _OPERATOR_ [_FAMILY_(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/FAMILY/7/markdown)          PostgreSQL 16.14 Documentation          _CREATE_ _OPERATOR_ [_FAMILY_(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/FAMILY/7/markdown)

## NAME
       CREATE_OPERATOR_FAMILY - define a new operator family

## SYNOPSIS
       CREATE OPERATOR FAMILY _name_ USING _index_method_

## DESCRIPTION
       **CREATE OPERATOR FAMILY **creates a new operator family. An operator family defines a collection
       of related operator classes, and perhaps some additional operators and support functions that
       are compatible with these operator classes but not essential for the functioning of any
       individual index. (Operators and functions that are essential to indexes should be grouped
       within the relevant operator class, rather than being “loose” in the operator family.
       Typically, single-data-type operators are bound to operator classes, while cross-data-type
       operators can be loose in an operator family containing operator classes for both data
       types.)

       The new operator family is initially empty. It should be populated by issuing subsequent
       **CREATE OPERATOR CLASS **commands to add contained operator classes, and optionally **ALTER**
       **OPERATOR FAMILY **commands to add “loose” operators and their corresponding support functions.

       If a schema name is given then the operator family is created in the specified schema.
       Otherwise it is created in the current schema. Two operator families in the same schema can
       have the same name only if they are for different index methods.

       The user who defines an operator family becomes its owner. Presently, the creating user must
       be a superuser. (This restriction is made because an erroneous operator family definition
       could confuse or even crash the server.)

       Refer to Section 38.16 for further information.

## PARAMETERS
       _name_
           The name of the operator family to be created. The name can be schema-qualified.

       _index_method_
           The name of the index method this operator family is for.

## COMPATIBILITY
       **CREATE OPERATOR FAMILY **is a PostgreSQL extension. There is no **CREATE OPERATOR FAMILY**
       statement in the SQL standard.

## SEE ALSO
       ALTER OPERATOR FAMILY ([**ALTER_OPERATOR_FAMILY**(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/ALTEROPERATORFAMILY/7/markdown)), DROP OPERATOR FAMILY
       ([**DROP_OPERATOR_FAMILY**(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/DROPOPERATORFAMILY/7/markdown)), CREATE OPERATOR CLASS ([**CREATE_OPERATOR_CLASS**(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/CREATEOPERATORCLASS/7/markdown)), ALTER OPERATOR
       CLASS ([**ALTER_OPERATOR_CLASS**(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/ALTEROPERATORCLASS/7/markdown)), DROP OPERATOR CLASS ([**DROP_OPERATOR_CLASS**(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/DROPOPERATORCLASS/7/markdown))

PostgreSQL 16.14                                2026                       _CREATE_ _OPERATOR_ [_FAMILY_(7)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/FAMILY/7/markdown)