sister-in-law

noun

sis·​ter-in-law ˈsi-st(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce sister-in-law (audio)
-tərn-ˌlȯ
plural sisters-in-law ˈsi-stər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce sister-in-law (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her role as Amelia, sister to the late Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and sister-in-law to Meredith, is marked by her ambition as a doctor, plus her recovery from drug addiction and emotional trauma. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 Survivors include his wife, Jeanette; daughter Monique; brother Charles; sister Nancy; nieces Suncere and Julie; nephews Sky and Andrew; sister-in-law Michelanne; and brother-in-law Ron. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 Scorsone remains a series regular, and Amelia, first introduced in Season 7 of Grey’s after making her debut on spinoff Private Practice, remains a fan favorite character and one deeply rooted in the show’s mythology as the sister of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and sister-in-law to Meredith. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 Owens was the best friend of Gandbhir’s sister-in-law. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sister-in-law

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sister-in-law was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sister-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sister-in-law. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sister-in-law

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