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

The number of marriages in Japan declined by nearly 6% in 2023 from the previous year – dipping below 500,000 for the first time in 90 years, while divorces were up by 2.6% last year, according to official figures. —Chris Lau, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Many Americans think that 1 in 2 marriages ends in divorce today. —Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Apr. 2024

Additionally, of couples in sexless marriages, about 80% report feeling a lack of emotional closeness, and about 60% report feeling neglected by their partners. —USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024

Senior Living in Los Gatos celebrated their military service and their successful marriages March 19 with a photo shoot. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024

So hopefully, that's a message that interracial marriages work. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

Their trial marriages — Madlyn’s particularly horny one to Randall and Colby’s particularly sexless one to April — seemed to bring out all their worst problems. —Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024

In the affidavit and other court records, she was identified as A.R., which were her initials from both of her marriages. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

The Ben Folds Five frontman detailed his prior marriages in an article for The Sydney Herald in September 2012. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 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
• by marriage
• civil marriage
• join (someone) in marriage/matrimony
• arranged marriage
• marriage counseling
• mixed marriage
• marriage guidance
• marriage of convenience
• marriage license
• marriage certificate
• join in marriage
• propose marriage
• open marriage
• shotgun marriage
• plural marriage
• common-law marriage
• Boston marriage
• marriage bed
• pre-marriage
• anti-marriage
• proxy marriage
• celestial 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