half sister

American  

noun

1. sister.

---

half-sister British  

noun

1. the daughter of either of one's parents by another partner

---

Usage

What does half sister mean? A half sister is a sister who is related to her sibling(s) through only one parent.This typically means that they share only one biological parent (not both). For example, when a person’s parent has a daughter with another partner (who is not the person’s parent), the daughter is considered the person’s half sister.The term half brother is used in the same way. Half-sibling is a gender-neutral way of saying the same thing.In contrast, the words stepsister, stepbrother, and stepsibling refer to those who have a sibling relationship (often based on the remarriage of their parents to other partners) but who do not share a biological parent.The word half in half sister and its related terms only refers to the biological relationship. Half sisters may have close relationships with their siblings, and many people simply call their half sister their sister.Modifiers such as maternal and paternal are sometimes used to specify which biological parent the siblings have in common.Example: Over the holidays, I got together with my maternal half sister and my paternal half brother and we had a great time.

Etymology

Origin of half sister

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200

Example Sentences

It turned out the man she believed to be her father had died five years earlier, but she connected with two likely half sisters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Should I inform them about the possibility of a half sister?

From Washington Post

However, you are asking your half sister to provide aid and comfort to a tormentor.

From Washington Post

The memorial service for her half sister was starting in an hour and she still hadn’t left home.

From Washington Post

When two American siblings head to London to attend the luxurious wedding of their estranged British half sister, secrets tumble out in the worst ways, at the worst possible times.

From New York Times