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.
Before meeting her for the first time, Jonas watched Warren’s tearful Tony acceptance speech with Chopra Jonas and his mother-in-law. Marley Marius, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025 Andrea Tai said her mother-in-law was tragically widowed in July 2000, when a hit-and-run accident took her husband’s life. Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 Tim Nelson, also a first-time protester, stood alongside his 9-year-old daughter and mother-in-law. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 In our family, my mother-in-law had a flip phone that did not allow use of apps. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 4 Mar. 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

Cite this Entry

“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 13 Mar. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on mother-in-law

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