sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law ˈsi-st(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ 

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law ˈsi-stər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of sister-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His mother, brother and sister-in-law watched Wednesday from the courtroom seats as his life sentence was thrown out. —Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

With Anna Maxwell Martin as his sister-in-law, with Derek Jacobi, Felicity Kendal and Ricky Gervais’ foil Karl Pilkington among the guest stars. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Daniel Garcia, 52, of Schaumburg, Ill., was jailed without bond in suspicion of fatally shooting his sister-in-law after mistaking her for an intruder. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Hough’s sister-in-law, Hayley Erbert, also celebrated the news. —Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law

ˈsis-t(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law

-tər-zən-

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling