brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 

ˈbrət͟h-rən-, 

ˈbrə-t͟hərn-

plural brothers-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hərz-ən- 

1

: the brother of one's spouse

2

a

: the husband of one's sibling

b

: the husband of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of brother-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Victor Montiero is the brother-in-law of the woman who lives in the home. — Riley Rourke, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026

His wife, Reinette, was injured and has undergone three surgeries, her brother-in-law told the Statesman. — Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026

The case against Suarez’s brother-in-law was later dropped, records show. — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

The bride also offered to make her childhood friend Celeste Sykes, who would act as the celebrant, an outfit, as well as dressing her sisters, her parents, her father- and brother-in-law, several more friends, and her groom. — Jessica Salter, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brother-in-law

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

Kids Definition

brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law

ˈbrət͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ, 

ˈbrət͟h-ərn-ˌlȯ

plural brothers-in-law

ˈbrət͟h-ər-zən-

1

: the brother of one's spouse

2

: the husband of one's sibling or of one's spouse's sibling