nephew

noun

neph·​ew ˈne-(ˌ)fyü How to pronounce nephew (audio)
 chiefly British  -(ˌ)vyü
plural nephews
1
: a son of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law
2
obsolete : a lineal (see lineal sense 3) descendant
especially : grandson

Examples of nephew in a Sentence

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.
He is survived by Jeannette, Monique, his brother Charles, sister Nancy Salvner, as well as his nieces and nephews, according to the statement shared on his Instagram on Thursday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025 As for the governance of the foundation, Armani’s nephew Andrea Camerana has a seat on the board succeeding the designer, with Dell’Orco and Irving Bellotti, partner of Rothschild & Co. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025 Four of her siblings are also law enforcement officers, along with her nephew and son, who is a Boone County Sheriff's deputy. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025 He is survived by his wife Martha; his sister Elizabeth Howard and her husband Edgar Howard; his brother Ward Wallau and his wife Elizabeth; his sister Claire Musso and her husband Carlos Musso; his brother Sheldon Wallau; and numerous nieces and nephews. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nephew

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nevew, from Anglo-French nevou, neveu, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew; akin to Old English nefa grandson, nephew, Sanskrit napāt grandson

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of nephew was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Nephew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nephew. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

nephew

noun
neph·​ew ˈnef-yü How to pronounce nephew (audio)
: a son of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

More from Merriam-Webster on nephew

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