son-in-law
Americannoun
plural
sons-in-lawnoun
Etymology
Origin of son-in-law
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sone in lawe; see origin at son, 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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An inquest into the death of Thomas Kingston, husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston and son in law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, will be opened.
From BBC • Feb. 29, 2024
Prabowo, 70, once a son in law of the late Indonesian strongman Suharto, registered his Gerindra party on Monday and said he would run if nominated by its members.
From Reuters • Aug. 9, 2022
There are lots and lots of other charts that project everything from apocalyptic devastation and the end of America to, apparently, the “rocking” summer foreseen by the president’s son in law.
From Fox News • May 5, 2020
And his son in law, Jared Kushner. has amended his disclosure filings about contacts with foreign officials.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2017
And Ptolemy the son of Abubus had been appointed captain for the plain of Jericho, and he had much silver and gold; for he was the high priest's son in law.
From The Bible Story by Hall, Newton Marshall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
