father-in-law

noun

ˈfä-t͟hə-rən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
-t͟hərn-ˌlȯ
plural fathers-in-law ˈfä-t͟hər-zən-ˌlȯ How to pronounce father-in-law (audio)
1
: the father of one's spouse
2
archaic : stepfather

Examples of father-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.
Montgomery will be away from the team on Saturday and Sunday because of his father-in-law’s funeral. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025 His father-in-law has since hired him an attorney and he has been questioned by the FBI, Kozak said. Vera Drymon, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025 The episode ends with a one-year time-jump that sees a married Cherry pregnant with Daniel's child, standing happily with Howard, now her father-in-law. Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Patterson was found guilty in July of killing her mother-in-law, Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, in a case that has been globally followed and dubbed the Leongatha mushroom murders. Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for father-in-law

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Father-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father-in-law. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

father-in-law

noun
fa·​ther-in-law
ˈfät͟h-(ə-)rən-ˌlȯ,
ˈfȧt͟h-,
-ərn-ˌlȯ
plural fathers-in-law
ˈfät͟h-ər-zən-,
ˈfȧt͟h-
: the father of one's husband or wife

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