courtship

noun

court·​ship ˈkȯrt-ˌship 

: the act, process, or period of courting

Synonyms of courtship

• dating
• romance

Examples of courtship in a Sentence

They had a two-year courtship before marrying.

The male of the species often displays aggression during courtship.

the President's courtship of middle-class voters

Recent Examples on the Web

The Army's courtship of gamers is not a new military strategy. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Early on in their courtship, Buddy took Gloria out on a ride over the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Kiefer, who started as the restaurant’s lawyer, told me, referring to a category of upscale hangouts, decorated with potted plants and Tiffany lamps, that were meant to facilitate yuppie courtship. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Modern dating discourse has developed its own grand theories for why heterosexual courtship has felt so miserable. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courtship

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• equip
• filmstrip
• flagship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship
• lightship
• midship

Kids Definition

courtship

noun

court·​ship -ˌship 

: the act or process of courting