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
Williamson’s mother-in-law, Phyllis Haley, helped her by demonstrating products for customers Friday, including charcoal soap and a rosewater scented spray.
—
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
They've been called granny flats, carriage houses, or mother-in-law suites.
—Lee Cowan, CBS News, 17 May 2026
This is her 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 round diamonds on a platinum band—a bauble formerly owned by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
My mother-in-law recently returned from New Zealand bearing gifts for her children and their spouses.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
They've been called granny flats, carriage houses, or mother-in-law suites.
—Lee Cowan, CBS News, 17 May 2026
This is her 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 round diamonds on a platinum band—a bauble formerly owned by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026
My mother-in-law recently returned from New Zealand bearing gifts for her children and their spouses.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
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 26 May. 2026.
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