: a relative by marriage

Examples of in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Again, a sequel followed, with 2010's Little Fockers seeing Greg and wife Pam (Teri Polo) juggle looking after their five-year-old twins with a spontaneous visit from the in-laws. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Trump isn't the first president to pick relatives, in-laws included, for the job — or to face criticism for doing so. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024 Avid entertainers, newlyweds, and impossible-to-shop-for in-laws will all adore this elegant bundle from Mark & Graham. Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Dec. 2024 The only conversion that would have been legitimate in my in-laws’ community, though, was an Orthodox one, and Orthodox rabbis typically required prospective converts to demonstrate their commitment to a strictly religious life. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for in-law 

Word History

Etymology

mother-in-law, etc.

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in-law was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near in-law

Cite this Entry

“In-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in-law. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

in-law

noun
ˈin-ˌlȯ
: a relative by marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on in-law

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