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.
Celeste begins worrying about her mother-in-law after her credit cards are declined and her outfits are increasingly out of place, but things begin to click when Mary-Louise gives Max, Josh and Ziggy expensive cars. — Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 Every summer, my husband and I visit my mother-in-law at her snowbird summer home in Minocqua, Wisc. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Last year, the entire family surrounded her mother-in-law at their local Walk. — Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 Dunn is survived by her parents, one son, four stepchildren, one sister, her paternal grandmother, a niece and nephew, an aunt, two uncles, her mother-in-law, and several extended family members. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for mother-in-law

See All Rhymes for mother-in-law

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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