palimony

noun

pal·​i·​mo·​ny ˈpa-lə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce palimony (audio)
: a court-ordered allowance paid by one member of a couple formerly living together out of wedlock to the other

Examples of palimony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Following their breakup, the ex-girlfriend filed a palimony suit and outed King in 1981. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2023 The lawsuit eventually became a landmark case that established the concept of palimony for separated unmarried couples, according to the New York Times. Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023 Wade and Debbie sat for a series of interviews with Walters in Winter Haven, Fla., in March of 1989 in the wake of the Boggs vs. Margo Adams palimony dustup. Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Jan. 2023 King was outed in a palimony suit filed by her onetime secretary in April 1981. New York Times, 2 June 2022 The tour was managing a recent controversy with Billie Jean King, who had been sued for palimony by a former girlfriend. New York Times, 6 June 2021 If brothers could divorce, Aidan would file for palimony. Kevin Fisher-Paulson, SFChronicle.com, 22 Sep. 2020 In February 2018, Jenner was named in a palimony suit filed against Griffin by his ex-fiancee, Brynn Cameron, who accused Jenner of a being a home wrecker and the reason that Griffin left her and their two young children. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 16 July 2019 On Valentine’s Day, Griffin was sued for palimony by his former girlfriend Brynn Cameron — and Jenner was named in the lawsuit. Natalie Stone, PEOPLE.com, 16 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'palimony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

blend of pal and alimony

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palimony was in 1977

Dictionary Entries Near palimony

Cite this Entry

“Palimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palimony. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Legal Definition

palimony

noun
pal·​i·​mo·​ny ˈpa-lə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce palimony (audio)
: a court-ordered allowance paid by one member of a couple formerly living together out of wedlock to the other
not used technically
Etymology

blend of pal and alimony

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