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

Nine victims or their next of kin attended the trial earlier this year. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Their identities will be released by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office pending identificaiton and notification of next of kin. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will release the person’s name once next of kin are notified. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Riverside County Sheriff's Office Deputies said that the victim's identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin, and that no further details would be released as the investigation was active and ongoing. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for next of kin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• superfine
• underpin
• vietminh
• violin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin

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