brother-in-law

noun

broth·​er-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hər-ən-ˌlȯ 

ˈbrət͟h-rən-, 

ˈbrə-t͟hərn-

plural brothers-in-law ˈbrə-t͟hərz-ən- 

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

At one point during his interview with the Star-Telegram, James Tatum referred to Mitchell as a brother-in-law. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2026

His first teaching job was in Las Vegas, where an older sister and brother-in-law lived. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026

Mason is survived by his wife, Winifred Wilson, daughter Danielle, nephew John Leonard, niece Michelle Leonard and his brothers-in-law, Sloan Wilson and Walton Wilson. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Mason is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Winifred Wilson, his daughter Danielle, nephew John (Trish) Leonard, and niece Michelle Leonard, as well as his brothers-in-law Sloan (Claudia) Wilson and Walton (Barbara Sims) Wilson. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brother-in-law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada

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