father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ
plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
1
: the father of one's spouse
2
archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-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.
Of particular interest is a massive library, known as the Villa of the Papyri, belonging to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus. Francesca Aton For Artnews, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025 Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Amanda Schutte; brother, Herman Schutte; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vernon and Pearl Krone; brothers-in-law, Bob Heuer and Don Hermanson; sister-in-law, Pat Krone. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 The press release credits Trump, who served as the co-chair of the RNC from March to December of last year, with having played a pivotal role in Republicans sweeping the 2024 election, including her father-in-law’s reelection and the party winning both the House and Senate. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025 The call was from a man in a town from her family’s past, informing her that someone in the United States had something that belonged to her father-in-law, who’d died in 1974. Kevin Chroust, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for father-in-law 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near father-in-law

Cite this Entry

“Father-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father-in-law. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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

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