stepmother

American  

[step-muhth-er] / ˈstɛpˌmʌð ər /

noun

1. the wife, by a later marriage, of one's parent.

---

stepmother British  

/ ˈstɛpˌmʌðə /

noun

1. a woman who has married one's father after the death or divorce of one's mother

---

Other Word Forms

• stepmotherliness noun
• stepmotherly adverb

Etymology

Origin of stepmother

First recorded before 900; Middle English stepmoder, Old English stēopmōdor; step- + mother ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

There is no proof that it was a report by Billy's son that landed his stepmother in an ICE detention centre.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

A stepmother or stepfather may promise their spouse the world while both parties are living, but have a change of heart the day after their spouse’s funeral.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

"If I was alone, I wouldn't be hiding my name. But now I'm a stepmother, part of a complex family structure, and I feel a sense of responsibility," she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

His father and stepmother shared what they’d be passing down to him and other siblings in smaller meetings, outside of time to swim and play pickleball.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

She ran out through the kitchen after her stepmother, who was about to go upstairs, and demanded, “What have you done with my things?”

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo