dowry
noun
dow·ry
ˈdau̇(-ə)-rē 
plural dowries
1
law
: the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
cultures in which marriage rarely occurs without dowry or bride-price
2
: a natural talent or gift
Beauty should be the dowry of every man and woman, as invariably as sensation; but it is rare.—
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson3
archaic, law
: dower sense 1
Examples of dowry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cameras followed them for milestone moments, including when David struggled to pay Annie's dowry in Thailand.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024
In the developing world, women suffer from specific forms of violence because of traditional social practices such as requiring dowries, honor killing, and genital mutilation.
—Amitav Acharya, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Her parents were a Russian count and a merchant’s daughter whose massive dowry elevated her to the aristocracy.
—E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Nannina was betrothed at the age of 13 for a large dowry and brought to her husband’s house five years later.
—Pragya Agarwal, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dowry 
Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024
In the developing world, women suffer from specific forms of violence because of traditional social practices such as requiring dowries, honor killing, and genital mutilation.
—Amitav Acharya, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Her parents were a Russian count and a merchant’s daughter whose massive dowry elevated her to the aristocracy.
—E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Nannina was betrothed at the age of 13 for a large dowry and brought to her husband’s house five years later.
—Pragya Agarwal, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dowry
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dowry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dowry
Cite this Entry
“Dowry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowry. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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dowry
noun
dow·ry
ˈdau̇(ə)r-ē
plural dowries
: the property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage in some cultures
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