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

Junior’s estranged wife, the bitter and often hilariously caustic Morgan (Alana Arenas), wants nothing to do with any of them, while her mother-in-law Claudine (LaTanya Richardson Jackson), pilots the family through trying times. — Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Swift was seen in the suite with her parents, her mother-in-law, Donna Kelce, and several of her and the tight end’s close friends. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2026

The Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2026

Dumont recently acquired the controlling stake in the Dallas Mavericks from his mother-in-law Miriam Adelson. — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 6 Nov. 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