English Reference
noun · verb

sister

n. · v.
US /ˈsɪstɝ/ UK /sˈɪstɐ/ sis·ter UK spelling sistered

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.a girl or woman who has the same parents as you.

    n.a female sibling; a daughter of the same parents as another person.

    Simple

    My older sister is helping me study for my math exam this weekend.

    In context

    Although they are sisters, their temperaments couldn't be more different; one is quite introverted while the other thrives in social settings.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English Medicine

    n.a senior or head nurse in a hospital.

    n.a senior female nurse, especially one in charge of a hospital ward.

    Simple

    The ward sister checked the patient's charts during her morning rounds.

    In context

    After twenty years of service, she was promoted to sister, taking full responsibility for the surgical recovery unit.

    head nursecharge nurse
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Formal Religion

    n.a woman who belongs to a religious group, like a nun.

    n.a female member of a religious order or community.

    Simple

    Sister Mary has lived and worked at the convent for forty years.

    In context

    The sisters of the local abbey are well-known for their extensive charitable work within the impoverished urban districts.

    nun
  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a woman you feel a strong connection with because of shared goals or identity.

    n.a woman who shares a common interest, race, or membership in an organization with others.

    Simple

    She called her fellow activists sisters in the fight for equal rights.

    In context

    The organization aims to empower sisters from all walks of life to pursue leadership roles in the technology sector.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a thing that is closely related to another, like two similar cities.

    n.an entity, such as a company or city, that has a close relationship with another.

    Simple

    Oxford is a sister city to several other university towns around the world.

    In context

    The two sister companies shared a headquarters but operated in entirely different market segments to avoid internal competition.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Technical

    v.to make a wooden beam stronger by attaching another one next to it.

    v.to strengthen a structural member by fastening a second similar member alongside it.

    Simple

    The builder had to sister the floor joists to support the new bathtub.

    In context

    To rectify the sagging ceiling, the contractor decided to sister the existing rafters with new pressure-treated lumber.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and typically used in construction or carpentry contexts.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated