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 man who died will be identified by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office once next of kin have been notified. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026

The Yolo County Coroner’s Office will release the driver’s name after next of kin have been notified. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

ICEBox is an all-in-one, emergency and estate planner that organizes more than 35 categories of essential documents, accounts, keys and instructions for both you and your next of kin. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

The victim’s name was not publicly released pending his formal identification and notification of his next of kin by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 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