next of kin

noun phrase

: one or more persons in the nearest degree of relationship to another person

Examples of next of kin 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 Yolo County Coroner’s Office will release the person’s name after next of kin are notified. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026 Their names were not publicly released pending their formal identification and notification of their next of kin by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026 The two other individuals who died were men, ages 30 and 55; their identities will be released once their next of kin has been notified. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 Planning usually assumes Americans have a next of kin, said Jay Zigmont, chief executive of Childfree Trust, which offers financial and estate planning for people without children. Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next of kin

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of next of kin was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Next of kin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20of%20kin. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

next of kin

1
: one or more living persons in the nearest degree of relationship to a particular individual
2
: those persons entitled by statute to receive the property in an intestate's estate compare heir
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