wedlock

noun

wed·​lock ˈwed-ˌläk How to pronounce wedlock (audio)
: the state of being married : marriage, matrimony
Phrases
out of wedlock
: with the natural parents not legally married to each other

Examples of wedlock in a Sentence

joined the happy couple in holy wedlock
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An increase in marriages is a strong indicator of a forthcoming rise in births, as childbirth outside of wedlock is uncommon in South Korea. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 The American-French stepdaughter of Sylvie born out of wedlock, Geneviève is an NYU grad who moved to Paris in Season 4 and got hired at Agence Grateau where Emily gracefully took her under her wing. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 25 June 2025 The facility adjoined a maternity hospital where Catholic women pregnant out of wedlock would deliver babies. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 Rules about Greenlandic children born out of wedlock strongly penalized children with unmarried parents. Morten Høi Jensen, The Dial, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wedlock

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wedlok, from Old English wedlāc marriage bond, from wedd pledge + -lāc, suffix denoting activity

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wedlock was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wedlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedlock. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

wedlock

noun
wed·​lock ˈwed-ˌläk How to pronounce wedlock (audio)
: the state of being married

More from Merriam-Webster on wedlock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!