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

The series was created by Julie Puckrin and inspired by her sister and brother-in-law, who met flying air ambulances. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025

Bertinelli was brother-in-law to the late Eddie Van Halen when the song was written. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025

Her cousin owns The Dancing Dragonfly, a gift shop connected to the restaurant, and family members (including her husband, sister, brother-in-law, and cousins) clock a few shifts per week at the cafe. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025

Vartanians previously spoke to The Arizona Republic about her brother-in-law's arrest. —Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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