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

Trauma and tragedies—such as the death of his parents, or periods of estrangement from his siblings—receive less scrutiny than the emotions unlocked by Virginia Woolf or Roland Barthes. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

O’resh and the Corner Store are getting a new sibling in the Big Apple this week. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026

Carol and Clifford Boisa were the siblings of the boat’s owner and operator, John Boisa, who was among the 16 survivors. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The twin siblings traveled from their home country of Ethiopia in March 2025 to the United States in preparation for the surgery, the hospital said. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 16 Sep. 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