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

Silk Schmidt, a hairdresser from Neueibau in southeastern Saxony, had come to Herrnhut with her sister-in-law in mid-November to make three stars as Christmas gifts for her two sons and mother. —Kirsten Grieshaber, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

Survivors include his longtime companion, Kate Vereau, and his brother, Stephen, sister-in-law Jill and nephew Sean. —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Nov. 2025

Caronna’s sister-in-law, Lisa Brown, told the outlet. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

The book tells the real-life story of a British-Punjabi woman who, after witnessing her family conspire to kill her sister-in-law, mustered the courage to testify against them in open court. —Udita Jhunjhunwala, Variety, 22 Nov. 2025

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