also: しゅくぼ · はくぼ
Refers to a parent's sister, or sometimes an aunt by marriage. In careful writing, 叔母 is used for a younger sister of one's parent and 伯母 for an older sister of one's parent; both are read おば in ordinary speech.
See also: 叔父 (おじ)
My father's younger sister is my aunt.
My aunt, my mother's older sister, came to visit.
Kana spelling is useful when the older-versus-younger kanji distinction is unnecessary or unknown.
Standard spelling for an aunt who is older than one's parent.
Rare Sino-Japanese reading of 伯母; the everyday reading is おば.