marriage

1 a union representing a special kind of social and legal partnership between two people <some religions consider marriage a sacrament> Synonyms conjugality, connubiality, match, matrimony, wedlock Related Words monogamy; bigamy, polyandry, polygamy, polygyny; intermarriage, miscegenation, mixed marriage, remarriage; cohabitation, common-law marriage; civil union, domestic partnership; attachment, commitment, relationship; betrothal, engagement, espousal, hand, pledge, promise, proposal, troth Near Antonyms annulment, divorce, separation

2 a ceremony in which two people are united in matrimony <just a small group of family and friends have been invited to witness the marriage> Synonyms bridal, espousal, wedding, nuptial(s)Related Words match, matrimony, wedlock; union