nephew

noun

neph·​ew ˈne-(ˌ)fyü 

 chiefly British  -(ˌ)vyü

plural nephews

1

: a son of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

2

obsolete : a lineal (see lineal sense 3) descendant

especially : grandson

Examples of nephew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Micah Seau, 31, who is the nephew of former San Diego Charger and 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, was one of two people charged on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2024

In March, Khloé shared a video of her niece and nephew Psalm, 4½, and Chicago— as well as her daughter True — enjoying a special dance session. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

But there’s also the one from the trial — when Till’s great-uncle is identifying the men who murdered his nephew. —Lucy McKeon, New York Times, 3 June 2024

Trian’s proxy battle posed the greatest threat to a Disney CEO since Michael Eisner’s feud with Roy Disney, the nephew of company founder Walt, 20 years ago. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nevew, from Anglo-French nevou, neveu, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew; akin to Old English nefa grandson, nephew, Sanskrit napāt grandson

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing nephew

• great-nephew

Kids Definition

nephew

noun

neph·​ew ˈnef-yü 

: a son of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law