sister

noun sis·ter \ ˈsi-stər \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of sister

1 : a female who has one or both parents in common with another

2 often capitalized

a : a member of a women's religious order (as of nuns or deaconesses); especially : one of a Roman Catholic congregation under simple vows

b : a girl or woman who is a member of a Christian church

3 a : a girl or woman regarded as a comrade

b : a girl or woman who shares with another a common national or racial origin; especially : a black girl or woman

4 : one that is closely similar to or associated with another

sister cities

5 chiefly British : nurse

6 a : girl, woman

b : person —usually used in the phrase weak sister

7 : a member of a sorority

See sister defined for English-language learners

See sister defined for kids

Examples of sister in a Sentence

The sisters live in the convent.

Recent Examples of sister from the Web

Ryan Bernard, a Miami Gardens police officer and one of the surviving three adult children, has started a GoFundMe page called Triple-Family-Tragedy asking for donations for his father and sister’s funeral costs.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Man killed pregnant wife and kept body in his apartment for 8 days, detectives believe," 14 June 2018
Four out of five KarJenner sisters made the cut for this year’s Maxim Hot 100 list.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Kylie and Kendall Jenner Make Maxim's Hot 100 — but Where's Kourtney?," 14 June 2018
Over the past year, the Sheraton and its sister property, Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, have swapped locations on the bluffs overlooking Legoland California.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New 7 Mile restaurant part of Sheraton revamp in Carlsbad," 14 June 2018
Though Haim did not mention the festival by name in their interview, the group — which consists of sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana — was apparently informed that the event paid low rates in exchange for potential radio play.

— refinery29.com, "Haim Fired Their Agent After A Male Artist Was Paid 10 Times More Than Them," 14 June 2018
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who heads Merkel's Bavarian-only sister party, wants to see refugees already registered in other European countries turned away.

— Fox News, "Pressure grows on Merkel to tighten refugee policies," 14 June 2018
But a wealthy heir and superhero appreciator Winston Deavor (Bob Odenkirk) and his tech savvy sister Evelyn (Catherine Keener) have a plan to rehabilitate their image.

— lindsey bahr, Detroit Free Press, "Review: ‘Incredibles 2’ arrives in a brave new world," 14 June 2018
His mother and two older sisters were in their rooms when Ray took a stick lighter from his mom’s toolbox into a bathroom.

— chelsea prince, ajc, "Severely burned boy recovering after accident with fire, rubbing alcohol," 13 June 2018
Meanwhile, not thinking to get a health inspection for their stand reportedly proved to be the undoing of two Texas sisters, aged 7 and 8, trying to raise money for Father's Day two summers ago.

— kate gibson, CBS News, "Your kid busted for selling lemonade? Country Time wants to help," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sister.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sister

Middle English suster, sister, partly from Old English sweostor and partly from Old Norse systir sister; akin to Latin soror sister, Sanskrit svasṛ

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year