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

Preserved under mud and ash in a villa believed to have been once owned by the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, the scrolls were discovered by an Italian farmer in the 18th century. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

He was reportedly moved that Cohen’s father-in-law, a Mets fan who grew up in Puerto Rico, also attended their meetings, which were held at two of Cohen’s other mansions, in Boca Raton and Beverly Hills. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Adding complexity to the matter is the recent news that her father-in-law plans to leave her mother-in-law — a separation that has occurred several times before but seems more final this time. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 May 2025

So, Alice rage-texts Patty to come meet them, but her father-in-law Keith intercepts the message and arrives in Patty’s place. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 2 May 2025

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