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

Her mother, Delia Fabro-Miske, was sentenced in 2025 to seven years in prison for her role in her father-in-law’s criminal enterprise. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Following her divorce from Henry, Yasmin and her former father-in-law, media magnate Lord Norton (Andrew Havill), try their hand at politics, offering financial support to Conservative politician Sebastian Stefanowicz (Edward Holcroft). —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026

Sansone, who is also Shaw’s former father-in-law, says the company owes him about $10 million from years of investments, capital calls and bailouts. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026

On one side was the prophet’s senior companion and father-in-law, Abu Bakr. —Eric Lob, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 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