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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 driver was pronounced dead at the scene and will be identified by the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office after the next of kin have been notified.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2024
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release her identity once it is confirmed and her next of kin is notified.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024
Her name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2024
Authorities have not yet identified the victims but did confirm that neither of them were from the area and that their names were being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
—Jon Haworth, ABC News, 27 May 2024
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release the identity of the deceased once the next of kin has been notified.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 20 May 2024
The person’s name was not released pending notification of next of kin, according to the coroner.
—Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 16 May 2024
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will release the name of the victim upon notification of next of kin.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'next of kin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of next of kin was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near next of kin
Cite this Entry
“Next of kin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next%20of%20kin. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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
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