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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
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release the name of the victim upon notification of next of kin.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024
All except the on-ramp to 101 were reopened by 11:30 p.m.
Authorities did not release the person’s name pending confirmation of their identity and notification of their next of kin.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024
Updates are being provided to the wife (next of kin) on the status of the case.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his full identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is identified.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
The name of the victim will not be released until his next of kin is notified.
—Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office declined to release the person’s name, saying next of kin had not been notified.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
The identification of the deceased person won't be released until next of kin is notified, officials said.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2024
As of late Sunday night the teen's identity was not being release pending next of kin notification, officials said.
—USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'next of kin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near next of kin
Cite this Entry
“Next of kin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20of%20kin. Accessed 21 May. 2024.
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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