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 names of those involved are being withheld pending next of kin notification. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025

The remains rested there until 2015, when the Department of Defense — using DNA to do what was once inconceivable — began painstakingly identifying them and locating next of kin, many of whom had since moved and died. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024

Their names have not been released yet, as the Department of Defense is working to inform their next of kin, Hegseth said. —Davis Winkie, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Authorities will release that person’s name after confirmation of their identity and notification of their next of kin. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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