sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsi-bliŋ 

1

: sib sense 2

also : one of two or more individuals having one common parent

2

: one of two or more things related by a common tie or characteristic

the sedan's smaller sibling

Examples of sibling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Typically, some models deviate and predict a waning event at some point, or a switch into La Niña, which is El Niño’s colder water sibling. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

The siblings-in-law addressed comments from Alli McBee suggesting their relationship had been inappropriate. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Since his siblings were crying with the same mournful expression, clinging to their father’s corpse, Shoichiro willed himself to cry too, and the tears came immediately. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

And in 1951, two years before Steinbeck wrote about the place, Paolo and his siblings (Franco, Anna, and Aldo) decided to turn Villa Giulietta into an eight-room hotel—one of the first in the village. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sibling

• sibling rivalry
• sibling species

Kids Definition

sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsib-liŋ 

: one of two or more individuals having the same parents or sometimes only one parent in common

Medical Definition

sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsib-liŋ 

: sib

also : one of two or more individuals having one common parent