mother-in-law

noun

moth·​er-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce mother-in-law (audio)
ˈmət͟h-rən-,
ˈmə-t͟hərn-
plural mothers-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce mother-in-law (audio)
1
: the mother of one's spouse
2
archaic : stepmother

Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence

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.
The other was for her portrayal of Joseph Stalin’s mother-in-law in an HBO movie about the former Soviet leader. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025 The Chicago local decided to purchase them as a gift for her mother-in-law, and gave them to her during the holidays. Jordan Greene, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 His wife, mother and mother-in-law — all of whom were home when the 5 a.m. Wednesday raid happened — were not charged. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025 On a related internet note, Newsweek previously covered why a pregnant woman decided to ban her mother-in-law from the delivery room was backed by readers. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mother-in-law 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mother-in-law was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near mother-in-law

Cite this Entry

“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

mother-in-law

noun
moth·​er-in-law
ˈmət͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,
ˈmət͟h-ərn-ˌlȯ
plural mothers-in-law
ˈmət͟h-ər-zən-
: the mother of one's husband or wife

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