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

The idea for the business came from owners Sami Totten and her mother-in-law, Deb Totten, who bonded over the centuries old Chinese tile strategy game that has soared in popularity over the last few years. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

Depending on the size of the party, my mother-in-law prepares the table hours, or even a day or so, in advance. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Flynn’s defense attorneys declined to cross-examine his mother-in-law, who was one of several of Ashley’s family members to testify Tuesday, the third day of testimony in Flynn’s murder trial. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Her late mother-in-law, Jackie, was also 34 when her husband was assassinated during a motorcade in Dallas in November 1963—months after Stas gifted her the watch. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 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