father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ 

-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ

plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the father of one's spouse

2

archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Staten Island Councilmember Frank Morano’s wife and father-in-law were two of the original three plaintiffs in that lawsuit. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

Jordan and Stewart also got to meet Kerry’s powerful, rancher kingpin father-in-law, William Macon (Garrett Dillahunt). — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

But that Christmas, my son got an anvil from my father-in-law, who’s a blacksmith and a glassblower. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

As for her selection of the Strathmore Rose tiara, apparently the gesture meant a lot to her father-in-law, King Charles. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for father-in-law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada

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