brother-in-law

American  

[bruhth-er-in-law] / ˈbrʌð ər ɪnˌlɔ /

noun

plural

brothers-in-law

1. the brother of one's spouse.

2. the husband of one's sister or brother.

3. the husband of one's spouse's sister or brother.

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brother-in-law British  

noun

1. the brother of one's wife or husband

2. the husband of one's sister

3. the husband of the sister of one's husband or wife

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Etymology

Origin of brother-in-law

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English brother in law(e); see origin at brother, in, law ¹; from Middle English in-lawe “in law,” i.e., “a person within the regulation and protection of the law,” based on the prohibition by Roman civil law and, later, Christian canon law, of marriages within four degrees of consanguinity, i.e., up to and including first cousins

Example Sentences

Anwar Usman, who was the court’s chief justice when the exception was made, is Widodo’s brother in law.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2024

"My brother in law told me that he has hasn't eaten any food since yesterday. We are very worried," she said.

From Reuters • Nov. 25, 2023

“My brother in law is a Cowdenbeath fan and tells a great story about the time Eddie the Eagle visited Central Park as part of a radio series on ‘Great Sporting Losers’,” says Simon McMahon.

From The Guardian • May 6, 2017

I had a brother in law who owns a restaurant and he said they made food salty to get customers to buy more drinks.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2017

While he was on good terms with the Court it was certain that she would lend no countenance to any cabal which might attack either the title or the prerogatives of her brother in law.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 5 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Related Words

• aunt
• cousin
• father
• folk
• mother
• niece
• sibling
• uncle