kinship

[ kin-ship ]

noun

1. the state or fact of being of kin; family relationship.

   Synonyms: connection

2. relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; affinity.

   Synonyms: bearing, connection

kinship

/ ˈkɪnʃɪp /

noun

1. blood relationship
2. the state of having common characteristics or a common origin

kinship

1. A relation between two or more persons that is based on common ancestry (descent) or marriage (affinity).

Word History and Origins

Origin of kinship¹

First recorded in 1825–35; kin + -ship

Synonym Study

See relationship.

Example Sentences

Her organisation works with communities and schools on their ancestral lands, learning about foods and medicines from the bush and about the Aboriginal 'kinship’ system - how people fit in with their community and family.

From BBC

"I feel a kinship there because we went through a lot of the same stuff," he said.

From BBC

The government has also announced £44m to support foster carers and kinship, which is a child being raised in the care of a friend or family member who is not their parent.

From BBC

Yet the reception from South Korean society isn’t always one of warmhearted kinship.

From Los Angeles Times

“The two countries no longer share any kinship. Their relationship has now completely settled into that of two hostile countries, two belligerents at war,” North Korean media reported him saying in January.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affinity