mother-in-law

noun

moth·​er-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 

ˈmət͟h-rən-, 

ˈmə-t͟hərn-

plural mothers-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the mother of one's spouse

2

archaic : stepmother

Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and mother-in-law Merrell Harkema. — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2026

One person who is squarely in Usha's corner defending her from the online criticism is none other than her mother-in-law, Beverly Vance. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Teel’s mother-in-law, Joyce Raley Teel, daughter of Raley’s founder Tom Raley, founded the effort along with former company president Chuck Collings. — Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026

My mother-in-law, the honoree, was not at all pleased with me. — Susan Steade, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mother-in-law

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

Kids Definition

mother-in-law

noun

moth·​er-in-law

ˈmət͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ, 

ˈmət͟h-ərn-ˌlȯ

plural mothers-in-law

ˈmət͟h-ər-zən-

: the mother of one's husband or wife