father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ 

-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ

plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the father of one's spouse

2

archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My mother-in-law was there, my mother, my father-in-law. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 23 June 2024

Prince William attended a royal horse racing event alongside his mother- and father-in-law Wednesday. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 20 June 2024

While pregnant with her first child, Belinda’s life becomes increasingly difficult after her father-in-law dies, forcing her husband’s mother, Solange (Hunter), to move in with them. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 20 June 2024

As the trailer for the new movie shows, Brandy's character Belinda's life grows more difficult when her father-in-law dies and her husband (Burnap) learns his mother (Hunter, 67) must move in with the soon-to-be-parents. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

father-in-law

noun

fa·​ther-in-law

ˈfät͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,

ˈfȧt͟h-,

-ərn-ˌlȯ

plural fathers-in-law

ˈfät͟h-ər-zən-,

ˈfȧt͟h-

: the father of one's husband or wife