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
But at least your mother-in-law is still making an effort in her own way by taking them out.
—
Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
His mother was a fourth-grade teacher and librarian, and his mother-in-law a middle school math teacher.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
McDonnell will portray Jen, the astute mother-in-law to John (Holloway) who looks after his daughters after an electromagnetic pulse attack throws society into chaos.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
What’s impossible to accept is Cherry’s response to her would-be mother-in-law’s lies.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mother-in-law
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Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
His mother was a fourth-grade teacher and librarian, and his mother-in-law a middle school math teacher.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
McDonnell will portray Jen, the astute mother-in-law to John (Holloway) who looks after his daughters after an electromagnetic pulse attack throws society into chaos.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
What’s impossible to accept is Cherry’s response to her would-be mother-in-law’s lies.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2025.
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