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

In August 1892, her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby, were discovered dead in their home, having been attacked with a hatchet. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

And over the course of six years, her character was put through an emotional wringer as well, getting shot, drugged by her stepmother, strangled, nearly drowned and repeatedly kidnapped — usually while wearing tiny denim cutoffs and a crop top. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

On August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden, were murdered in the family’s home in Fall River, Massachusetts. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

The heiress was photographed with her stepmother and father at the Gucci fashion show in February 2013. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 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