J. T. Shawcross
Usage of Marriage
The definition of the word marriage—or, more accurately, the understanding of what the institution of marriage properly consists of—continues to be highly controversial. This is not an issue to be resolved by dictionaries. Ultimately, the controversy involves cultural traditions, religious beliefs, legal rulings, and ideas about fairness and basic human rights. The principal point of dispute has to do with marriage between two people of the same sex, often referred to as same-sex marriage or gay marriage. Same-sex marriages are now recognized by law in a growing number of countries and were legally validated throughout the U.S. by the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. In many other parts of the world, marriage continues to be allowed only between men and women. The definition of marriage shown here is intentionally broad enough to encompass the different types of marriage that are currently recognized in varying cultures, places, religions, and systems of law.
Examples of marriage in a Sentence
Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
The bleak statistic that half of marriages end in divorce has been in the zeitgeist for so long now that it’s become a punch line.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Husbands in egalitarian marriages spend about 3.5 hours more per week on leisure activities than wives do.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 27 Nov. 2023
But some historians also attribute the marriage’s demise to Joséphine’s extravagant spending.
—Nathan Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
His marriages to Lynn Ossa and Judith Ann Ford ended in divorce.
—Sam Roberts, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023
Brigitte — who opened up about her marriage's controversial beginnings in a new interview with Paris Match — was a 39-year-old drama teacher at a Catholic school in northern France when Emmanuel, then 15, developed feelings for her.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
My generation and the ones after me have become more independent and there are fewer marriages that last 60 years.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023
As the years went by, most club members matured into marriages and became engineers, bankers and politicians.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'marriage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing marriage
Dictionary Entries Near marriage
Cite this Entry
“Marriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marriage. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
marriage
noun
Legal Definition
marriage
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on marriage
Nglish: Translation of marriage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of marriage for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marriage
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