kinship

noun

kin·​ship ˈkin-ˌship How to pronounce kinship (audio)
Synonyms of kinship
: the quality or state of being kin : relationship

Examples of kinship in a Sentence

He feels a strong kinship with other survivors of the war. feelings of kinship between the team's players and their fans
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Genuine kinship, even for a few hours, can feel harder than ever to find. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 30 June 2026 Raise the Future offers Family Support Services for foster, kinship and adoptive families. Libby Smith, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Two New Yorkers from the boroughs who shared the kinship of a similar background. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026 Rather than pursue their professional dreams, Haugh and Condon returned for one final season to chase another NCAA title while setting the tone with their leadership, kinship and versatility. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kinship

Word History

Etymology

see kin entry 1

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kinship was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kinship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinship. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

kinship

noun
kin·​ship ˈkin-ˌship How to pronounce kinship (audio)
: the quality or state of being kin : relationship

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