brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce brother-in-law (audio)
ˈbrət͟h-rən-
ˈbrə-t͟hərn-
plural brothers-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hərz-ən- How to pronounce brother-in-law (audio)
1
: the brother of one's spouse
2
a
: the husband of one's sibling
b
: the husband of one's spouse's sibling

Examples of brother-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.
Annie's husband, and Savannah's brother-in-law, is Tommaso Cioni, according to Page Six, which published photographs of the pair leaving their home in Tucson. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 He is also survived by his sister, Shelly Cox Dufour and brother-in-law Robert Dufour, and nieces Madeline and Lucie. Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Savannah Guthrie‘s brother-in-law Tomasso Cioni hasn’t been seen in a week as police search his and his wife (and Savannah’s sister) Annie Guthrie’s home as part of the investigation into the abduction of Savannah and Annie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026 Once, when the Powers’ home suffered hail damage and State Farm offered a partial payout, Shaun Powers and his brother-in-law did the repair themselves. J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brother-in-law

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brother-in-law was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brother-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brother-in-law. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

brother-in-law

noun
broth·​er-in-law
ˈbrət͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ
ˈbrət͟h-ərn-ˌlȯ
plural brothers-in-law
ˈbrət͟h-ər-zən-
1
: the brother of one's spouse
2
: the husband of one's sibling or of one's spouse's sibling

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