second cousin

noun

: the child of one's parent's first cousin

Examples of second cousin in a Sentence

Susan is my second cousin.
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.
That will prove to be one of the film’s wittier running gags — that everyone in this rarefied world marries their first or second cousin, because that’s the only way to keep the wealth in the family. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Dec. 2025 Creativity is in her genes as a second cousin of Tennessee Williams. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025 The campaign also got a $1 million gift from Tom Siebel, founder of C3 AI and second cousin once-removed to First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2025 The previous November, Brandon, who recently became a grandfather, won his reelection campaign by a single vote against his own second cousin, Tyler Simonsen (Simonsen contested the results; the contest is still ongoing). Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for second cousin

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second cousin was in 1660

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Cite this Entry

“Second cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20cousin. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

second cousin

noun
: the child of one's parent's first cousin
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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