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

Key Facts Ten people have been identified by friends or family as among those killed, as law enforcement officials continue to withhold victims' identities until autopsies are completed and next of kin can be notified. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025

The Road Ranger, a Pembroke Pines man who has not been named pending notification of his next of kin, died at the scene, Miranda said. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2025

The names of the men, who police said were in their 40s, have not been released pending notification to their next of kin. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024

Her body was taken to the medical examiner’s office, where, according to protocol, the search for her next of kin would commence. —Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024

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