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 identity of the person who died will be released by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office once the next of kin has been notified. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2025

The coroner’s office said all resources in locating next of kin have been exhausted, which has been complicated as all Venezuelan consulates have been closed in the United States since January 2023 due to the political instability in the country. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity after it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

The woman’s identity was expected to be release by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin were notified. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for next of kin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin

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