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

Divya Chandrashekar, sister-in-law of american missing in nepal In Nepal, the death toll has risen to 781, with more than 2,500 people still missing, including 592 foreign nationals, according to the country’s disaster agency. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026

When his detective twin brother, James, disappears, Ludwig impersonates him to help his sister-in-law, Lucy (Anna Maxwell Martin), solve the mystery. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026

Tamang said her sister-in-law is missing, along with her sister-in-law's mother and brother. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Tevie was the daughter of Dolly's brother Randy and sister-in-law Deb. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 25 Aug. 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