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 The cast also includes Podemski (Reservation Dogs) who plays rival officer Erica Ross, and Christopher Heyerdahl (Van Helsing) who stars as Henry’s police chief father-in-law. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024 Working in middle management at his father-in-law JJ’s (Geoffrey Owens) foam-roller company, Junior has been forced to put his film-directing dreams on the back burner. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Oct. 2024 But father and son aside, there are plenty of others in the picture that the grumpy Poppa will find himself at odds with this season, including Junior’s father-in-law, played by The Cosby Show’s Geoffrey Owens. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Oct. 2024 The absentee ballot was dropped off by Chip's wife, Becky, on her father-in-law’s behalf. Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for father-in-law 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'father-in-law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 31 Oct. 2024.

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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