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 After your father-in-law’s death, obituaries might note some of these scandals and crimes, inspiring your children to ask you about his history. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Gill’s father-in-law is Dinesh D’Souza also well-known in Conservative circles. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024 Despite her desires, the announcement — coupled with father-in-law King Charles III’s simultaneous health issues — ignited even more interest in her condition and plenty of wild speculation given her absence from the public eye, as well as that of her children and parents. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 On the same day the palace released its statement about Middleton's surgery, a second statement regarding Middleton's father-in-law, King Charles, was made public. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 According to Michelle, her father-in-law makes perfect renditions of French classics like beef bourguignon, ratatouille, lamb tagine, and poulet farci. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024 And Bernadine Denning and my father-in-law were very giving people. Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024 Tom’s father-in-law and Jason’s grandfather, Volodymyr Darmochwal, opened Veselka as a candy and cigar shop in 1954. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 The French Maison was founded all the way back in 1906 by the Dutch diamond-cutter Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels in Paris. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'father-in-law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near father-in-law

Cite this Entry

“Father-in-law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/father-in-law. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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