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

Rodd is survived by her partner of 25 years, William Lewis; brother Stephen Rodd; brother-in-law Roger Ellis; and other extended family. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Moore’s brother-in-law, Griffin Goldsmith, revealed in an Instagram post that the actress, her husband and their three kids were staying with Duff's family. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

The couple’s two children and dog are now in the care of relatives, the Tepes’ brother-in-law said. —Holly Yan, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026

Your brother-in-law is not behaving like someone who wants to continue being invited over. —Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 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