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
Some people used Taylor Swift lyrics to lean in to her future mother-in-law's home renovation.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Longoria had been at the apartment with his wife, young daughter, mother-in-law and several friends when the shooting occurred.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
While the mother-in-law was moving past him, Field shoved her and tried to lock himself in the bathroom with his wife.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Atlanta residents Jenny Cotton (left) and her husband Ardalan Lotfi and mother-in-law Zohreh Khamin (right) on their second morning of sheltering in place in Dubai.
—Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Longoria had been at the apartment with his wife, young daughter, mother-in-law and several friends when the shooting occurred.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
While the mother-in-law was moving past him, Field shoved her and tried to lock himself in the bathroom with his wife.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Atlanta residents Jenny Cotton (left) and her husband Ardalan Lotfi and mother-in-law Zohreh Khamin (right) on their second morning of sheltering in place in Dubai.
—Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 6 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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