parent-in-law

[pair-uhnt-in-law, par-]

noun

plural

parents-in-law 

1. the father or mother of one's spouse.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parent-in-law¹

First recorded in 1850–55: parent, in, law ¹

Example Sentences

Under Assembly Bill 1949, California employers with five or more workers must allow them up to five days of unpaid, job-protected leave upon the death of a close family member, including a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner or parent-in-law.

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I am grateful to the Seattle City Council for unanimously approving legislation that makes it easier to build backyard cottages and parent-in-law apartments.

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Backyard cottages are detached from a main house, while parent-in-law apartments are included, usually in the basement.

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Banned about 70 years ago in Seattle, parent-in-law apartments were again allowed across the city starting in 1994 and backyard cottages since 2010.

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Monday’s legislation will allow a backyard cottage and a parent-in-law apartment or two parent-in-law apartments on the same lot, rather than only one accessory unit per lot.

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