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.
His name had not been released as of early Friday afternoon, because his next of kin had yet to be notified. Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 The person’s identification was still pending on Monday as authorities notified next of kin. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025 The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will identify the climber and notify his next of kin, officials said. Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025 In other cases, governments lack either the capacity or the will to track down the deceased’s next of kin, especially for the remains of people deemed unworthy or undeserving of protection to begin with. Tyler McBrien, The Dial, 28 Jan. 2025 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 29 Apr. 2025.

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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