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 Ranch House was co-owned and run by Rosse’s first mother-in-law and mentor, Lois Pallaria, Rosse said. — Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

But we were cheered that my mother-in-law was able to go back to her bright, sunny assisted living facility that, due to its proximity to the hospital’s power grid, was doing fine. — Kristy Woodson Harvey, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

An argument ensued after a pushy mother-in-law offered her young grandchild a sugary drink, once again pitting the parents against the grandparents. — Parents, 16 July 2026

But when asked to convey human-woman concerns, like a shitty dad, a shitty husband, and a shitty mother-in-law, that intense gaze can become inscrutable, even incomprehensible — a closed door to her interiority instead of a way in. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 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