stepmother

noun

step·​moth·​er ˈstep-ˌmə-t͟hər How to pronounce stepmother (audio)
: the wife of one's parent when distinct from one's natural or legal mother

Examples of stepmother 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.
Nancy Travis appeared in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants as Lydia, Carmen's not-so-nice stepmother. EW.com, 28 June 2025 Burrell married Claxton in 2021 and was stepmother to his son, Javier. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025 Dear Abby: My husband’s stepmother passed recently after a long illness, and her children specifically wanted our family, including our 2-year-old, to be at her service. Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025 My husband’s stepmother passed recently after a long illness, and her children specifically wanted our family, including our 2-year-old, to be at her service. Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stepmother

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stepmother was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stepmother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepmother. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

stepmother

noun
step·​moth·​er -ˌmət͟h-ər How to pronounce stepmother (audio)
: the wife of one's father when distinct from one's natural or legal mother

More from Merriam-Webster on stepmother

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