kinship

noun

kin·​ship ˈkin-ˌship How to pronounce kinship (audio)
Synonyms of kinshipnext
: 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.
Wednesday's Child on CBS Colorado For more information about services for kinship care families or to learn more about the Heart Gallery, call Raise the Future at (303) 755-4756 or 1(800) 451-5246 or go to the Raise the Future website. Libby Smith, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026 Gradually, the two men gain each other’s trust, and a largely unspoken kinship emerges between them. Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026 Corona del Mar junior guard Ryan Mansouri, who scored a game-high 23 points, said that comes from the kinship the players have for each other. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026 The multidisciplinary Tlingit/Unangax̂ artist examines kinship and political consciousness on an album that evokes the indie-rock experimentalism of TV on the Radio. Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 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 2 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

kinship

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

More from Merriam-Webster on kinship

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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