sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsi-bliŋ 

1

: sib sense 2

also : one of two or more individuals having one common parent

2

: one of two or more things related by a common tie or characteristic

the sedan's smaller sibling

Examples of sibling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In January 2025, Wayne Osmond, the second-oldest sibling in the family band, died at age 73. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026

After immigrating to Chicago, El Guëro supported his mother and helped put his two younger siblings through college and medical school. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Michael Jackson’s son Prince and his siblings La Toya, Jackie, and Jermaine attended the glitzy premiere for Michael, which features a breakout performance by his nephew Jaafar. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026

Osmond was born in Ogden, Utah, on June 22, 1949, the third of nine eventual Osmond siblings and the oldest of the seven who could sing (his older brothers, Virl and Tom, were hearing impaired). —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sibling

• sibling rivalry
• sibling species

Kids Definition

sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsib-liŋ 

: one of two or more individuals having the same parents or sometimes only one parent in common

Medical Definition

sibling

noun

sib·​ling ˈsib-liŋ 

: sib

also : one of two or more individuals having one common parent