sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law ˈsi-st(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ 

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law ˈsi-stər-zən-ˌlȯ 

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of sister-in-law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were probably about 15 survivors, and Virginia Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law. — Abby Ellin, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026

In summer 2020, Carr, his brother, and his sister-in-law were navigating end-of-life care for his mother. — Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 24 July 2026

When his former sister-in-law Rachel Mills (Britt Lower) visits him in prison with new evidence that Matthew might still be alive, David escapes and sets out on a mission to rescue him. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Lee Chun Ho, 40, his father, Simon Lee, 70, and his sister-in-law, Esther Chan, 38. — New York Times, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sister-in-law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada

Kids Definition

sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law

ˈsis-t(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ, 

-tərn-ˌlȯ

plural sisters-in-law

-tər-zən-

1

: the sister of one's spouse

2

a

: the wife of one's sibling

b

: the wife of one's spouse's sibling