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

And the chance to not speak to your sister-in-law. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

Martin Scorsese, along with his then-wife, Isabella Rossellini, moved into the building and would call Mango at all hours — including once apparently to scare off a sister-in-law’s rowdy husband. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026

In 2017, court records show that Rhone had a dispute with his former sister-in-law that led her to win a three-year restraining order. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Fortunately, Broderick Espinoza, an off-duty firefighter and paramedic for Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue, was in the water with his sister-in-law, the outlets reported. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 9 June 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