marriage

noun

mar·​riage ˈmer-ij 

ˈma-rij

1

a

see usage paragraph below : the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law

b

: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock

c

: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2

: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected

especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

3

: an intimate or close union

the marriage of painting and poetry

—J. T. Shawcross

Usage of Marriage

The definition of the word marriage—or, more accurately, the understanding of what the institution of marriage properly consists of—continues to be highly controversial. This is not an issue to be resolved by dictionaries. Ultimately, the controversy involves cultural traditions, religious beliefs, legal rulings, and ideas about fairness and basic human rights. The principal point of dispute has to do with marriage between two people of the same sex, often referred to as same-sex marriage or gay marriage. Same-sex marriages are now recognized by law in a growing number of countries and were legally validated throughout the U.S. by the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. In many other parts of the world, marriage continues to be allowed only between men and women. The definition of marriage shown here is intentionally broad enough to encompass the different types of marriage that are currently recognized in varying cultures, places, religions, and systems of law.

Synonyms

• conjugality
• connubiality
• match
• matrimony
• wedlock

Examples of marriage in a Sentence

It was his second marriage.

They have a very happy marriage.

She has old-fashioned ideas about marriage.

couples living together before marriage

Many friends and relatives were present at their marriage.

a priest who has performed many marriages

a marriage of sweet and spicy flavors

a marriage of science and art

a marriage between form and function

Recent Examples on the Web

His marriages to Dolores Dvorak and Toni Wolcott ended in divorce. —Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Oral tradition likely helped the Avar keep bloodlines straight over the course of centuries, preventing marriages to distant cousins. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 24 Apr. 2024

Maybe that’s why there’s so much signage on the doors around me attesting to marriages spent on the sea. —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

And even though my marriages didn’t work out, something great came from those relationships. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024

Of course, there are tiny fractures in both marriages, barely visible on the surface, which end up shattering this little suburban Eden. —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024

But over the last 15 years, shifting immigrant populations in the city, second-generation Canadians, and interracial marriages have altered who comes through the neighborhood. —Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024

While most couples disapprove of stepping out on their marriages, surveys have found 15% of women and 25% of men have cheated on their spouses. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024

He is survived by his four children (from two marriages) and predeceased by his daughter Aeron, who drowned in the family's pool at age 2 in 1979. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing marriage

• a marriage made in heaven
• anti-marriage
• arranged marriage
• Boston marriage
• by marriage
• celestial marriage
• civil marriage
• common-law marriage
• join in marriage
• join (someone) in marriage/matrimony
• marriage bed
• marriage certificate
• marriage counseling
• marriage guidance
• marriage license
• marriage of convenience
• mixed marriage
• open marriage
• plural marriage
• pre-marriage
• propose marriage
• proxy marriage
• shotgun marriage

Kids Definition

marriage

noun

mar·​riage ˈmar-ij 

1

a

: the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law

b

: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock

c

: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2

: an act of marrying

especially : a wedding ceremony

3

: a close union

a marriage of music and verse

Legal Definition

marriage

noun

mar·​riage ˈmar-ij 

1

: the state of being united to a person as spouse in a legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolvable only by law see also divorce,Obergefell v. Hodges compare civil union

2

: the ceremony containing certain legal formalities by which a marriage relationship is created