brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 

ˈbrət͟h-rən-,

ˈbrə-t͟hərn-

plural brothers-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hərz-ən- 

1

: the brother of one's spouse

2

a

: the husband of one's sibling

b

: the husband of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of brother-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her brother-in-law's relationship helped push them into the public eye. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Throughout season 2, Ava had been trying to identify who the Copycat Killer was after the Westside Ripper and Ava's new brother-in-law, Matt (Tom Bateman), swore he was done with murder. —Joelle Goldstein, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

After starring with his sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew in Running Man, Powell will stay in London through the spring when J.J. Abrams secret movie ramps up with Jenna Ortega. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024

Popular on Variety The series was co-created by Brian Donovan and Ed Herro after Donovan learned about the heist from his Canadian brother-in-law during Christmas six years ago. —Amber Dowling, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law

ˈbrət͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,

ˈbrət͟h-ərn-ˌlȯ

plural brothers-in-law

ˈbrət͟h-ər-zən-

1

: the brother of one's spouse

2

: the husband of one's sibling or of one's spouse's sibling