mother-in-law
noun
moth·er-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 
ˈmət͟h-rən-,
ˈmə-t͟hərn-
plural mothers-in-law
ˈmə-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ
1
: the mother of one's spouse
2
archaic
: stepmother
Examples of mother-in-law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Three hours into the debate, Scott offered an amendment that would change the 8-30g law to include accessory dwelling units, sometimes called mother-in-law apartments, in the calculation to count toward affordable housing.
—
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2025
Dear Eric: Several years ago, my mother-in-law passed away due to dementia.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Despite going to extra lengths to ensure her mother-in-law knew one of the loaves contained cinnamon, the matriarch still decided to cut herself a slice of the sweet bread.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 May 2025
Yes, even in a cooler for hours on the way to your mother-in-law’s house.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2025
Dear Eric: Several years ago, my mother-in-law passed away due to dementia.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Despite going to extra lengths to ensure her mother-in-law knew one of the loaves contained cinnamon, the matriarch still decided to cut herself a slice of the sweet bread.
—Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 May 2025
Yes, even in a cooler for hours on the way to your mother-in-law’s house.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
Cite this Entry
“Mother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-in-law. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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