sibling

[ sib-ling ]

noun

1. a brother or sister.
2. Anthropology. a comember of a sib, a unilateral descent group thought to share kinship through a common ancestor.

adjective

1. of or relating to a brother or sister:

   sibling rivalry.

sibling

/ ˈsɪblɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a person's brother or sister
   2. ( as modifier )

      sibling rivalry

2. any fellow member of a sib

Other Words From

• half-sibling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sibling¹

before 1000; late Middle English: relative, Old English; sib, -ling ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sibling¹

C19: specialized modern use of Old English sibling relative, from sib ; see -ling ¹

Example Sentences

“Marriage gives spouses the benefit of many legal presumptions and protections with regards to each other’s property and affairs. An unmarried partner, on the other hand, is at a much worse position than even an estranged child or sibling in a situation where the other partner has died or has become incapacitated,” said Joseph Fresard, elder law attorney at Simasko Law in Mount Clements, Michigan.

From Salon

Behind him, flanking a rolltop desk, were framed pictures of two sets of brothers: John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, and Schiff and his elder sibling, Dan.

From Los Angeles Times

For the sibling pop savants, work and family have long been intertwined.

From Los Angeles Times

Three decades on, Lindsay's younger sister Juliet reflects on how she has no living memory of her sibling.

From BBC

Elizabeth is his only living sibling.

From BBC

Related Words

• brother
• relative
• sister