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

Hawkins' father-in-law lost his home to Friday's tornado; the roof and the side of the house are gone, reduced to rubble. —Conor Wight, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

My father-in-law traveled with us, and my kids enjoyed the day with their grandpa digging for dinosaur bones and learning about electricity and the solar system. —Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026

Sophie became the royal patron of Plan International UK in 2024, stepping into a post previously held by her late father-in-law, Prince Philip. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Procter & Gamble was formed in 1837 after a father-in-law suggested his two sons-in-law, a candlemaker and a soap maker, team up. —Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 15 Apr. 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