stepmother

noun

step·​moth·​er ˈstep-ˌmə-t͟hər 

: the wife of one's parent when distinct from one's natural or legal mother

Examples of stepmother in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sophie’s stepmother and former employer, Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), aka Lady Penwood, comes back into focus, along with her two daughters, Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and Posy Li (Isabella Wei). —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026

While titles are not yet being disclosed, the first series is set in a ruthless fashion empire where a desperate young designer is coerced by her stepmother into spying on a notorious playboy CEO. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026

Kepner was on the cruise with her father, stepmother and two step-siblings, including a 16-year-old boy whom the Miami Herald previously reported is the focus of the homicide investigation. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Anna Kepner, 18, was on a Caribbean cruise with her father, stepmother and three stepsiblings on the Carnival Horizon. —Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stepmother

• another
• godmother
• grandmother
• stepbrother
• brother
• mother
• nother
• other
• smother
• souther

Kids Definition

stepmother

noun

step·​moth·​er -ˌmət͟h-ər 

: the wife of one's father when distinct from one's natural or legal mother