mother-in-law

noun

moth·​er-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce mother-in-law (audio)
ˈmət͟h-rən-,
ˈmə-t͟hərn-
plural mothers-in-law ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce mother-in-law (audio)
1
: the mother of one's spouse
2
archaic : stepmother

Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reader Vicki Casey from Huntersville, North Carolina, shared this lovely recipe created by her thrifty mother-in-law that uses the juice leftover from canned pineapple to make a beautiful pie. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 The cast is expected to include Meryl Streep (who, coincidentally, is Ronson’s mother-in-law; the musician is married to Streep’s daughter Grace Gummer), Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey and Carey Mulligan. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025 My mother-in-law drives me bonkers. Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 Kate has had tons of tiara moments since marrying Prince William in 2011 and has made Queen Mary's Lover's Knot a favorite like her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mother-in-law was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on mother-in-law

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