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
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
The report also cites the role of Trump’s son in law, Jared Kushner.
From The Guardian • Feb. 19, 2019
White House adviser Jared Kushner, Trump’s son in law, will discuss a U.S. plan for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, although he is not likely to give details.
From Reuters • Feb. 10, 2019
And they said, Samson, the son in law of the Timnite, because he hath taken his wife, and given her to his companion.
From Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature by Moulton, Richard Green
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.
