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

Paris has long served as a source of lifestyle and cultural inspiration for cofounders and sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, making the city a logical next chapter for the brand. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026

Your sister-in-law may be being catfished or romance-scammed. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026

Like sister-in-law Debra, Amy couldn't win with her future in-laws, sparking a bond between the two over the sheer absurdity of the Barones. —Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026

The kids’ statements stand in stark contrast to that of Kouri Richins’ mother, sister and sister-in-law, who all described her as a devoted mother who loved her children immensely. —Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 May 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