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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 woman’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
The identities of the people killed will by released by the Santa Clara County coroner’s office following confirmation of identity notification of their next of kin.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
Tarrant County last week adopted a new policy requiring more rigorous attempts to find next of kin.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024
Graves did not identify the passenger who died as investigators were still working to notify next of kin.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 1 Oct. 2024
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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 Nov. 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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