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
Thirteen months later, Wang allegedly used a knife to stab his wife, Linlin Guo, 41, and his mother-in-law, Beimin Cheng, inside their Kelobra Court home in Walnut Creek.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The catalogue of eight plans is part of Boise’s housing agenda, which already allows ADUs — smaller, secondary homes attached or adjacent to a primary residence that are often called in-law or mother-in-law units — in nearly all zoning districts.
—Mark Dee
march 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
According to prosecutors, Zeigler shot and killed his wife, Eunice, and mother-in-law, Virginia Edwards, after the store had closed for the day.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Russell — the devoted husband of Paige (Elle Chapman) — absorbs hornet stings and sharper barbs from his mother-in-law, Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
The catalogue of eight plans is part of Boise’s housing agenda, which already allows ADUs — smaller, secondary homes attached or adjacent to a primary residence that are often called in-law or mother-in-law units — in nearly all zoning districts.
—Mark Dee
march 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
According to prosecutors, Zeigler shot and killed his wife, Eunice, and mother-in-law, Virginia Edwards, after the store had closed for the day.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Russell — the devoted husband of Paige (Elle Chapman) — absorbs hornet stings and sharper barbs from his mother-in-law, Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
Cite this Entry
“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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