noun
Uncommon
kinship
KIHN-shihp
Kinship (noun) means the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption. Example: “The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties.”
noun
1
The connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption.
"The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties."
"She traced her kinship with the family back three generations."
2
A strong sense of closeness or shared identity with someone, even without a family connection.
"The two veterans felt an instant kinship after realizing they'd served in the same unit."
How to use kinship
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing related to someone, or feeling a close bond with them as if you were.
Common pairings
a sense of kinship
ties of kinship
kinship network
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Word forms
- Plural
- kinships
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The tribe's social structure is built entirely around _____ ties.
Etymology
From kin + -ship, the same suffix that turns "friend" into "friendship."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “kinship” mean?
The word “kinship” means the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption. In plain terms, being related to someone, or feeling a close bond with them as if you were.
How do you pronounce “kinship”?
“Kinship” is pronounced KIHN-shihp (/ˈkɪnʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “kinship” in a sentence?
Here is “kinship” used in a sentence: “The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties.”
What part of speech is “kinship”?
“Kinship” is a noun.
Is “kinship” a common word?
“Kinship” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kinship” have?
“Kinship” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption.
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