marriage

noun

mar·​riage ˈmer-ij How to pronounce marriage (audio)
ˈma-rij
1
a
see usage paragraph below : the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law
b
: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock
c
: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage
2
: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected
especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities
3
: an intimate or close union
the marriage of painting and poetryJ. 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

It was his second marriage. They have a very happy marriage. She has old-fashioned ideas about marriage. couples living together before marriage Many friends and relatives were present at their marriage. a priest who has performed many marriages a marriage of sweet and spicy flavors a marriage of science and art a marriage between form and function See More
Recent Examples on the Web According to Robyn, the other wives stopped maintaining not only their marriages to Kody — but also to their commitments to each other. 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 See More

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

Etymology

Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of marriage was in the 14th century

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.

Kids Definition

marriage

noun
mar·​riage ˈmar-ij How to pronounce marriage (audio)
1
a
: the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law
b
: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock
c
: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage
2
: an act of marrying
especially : a wedding ceremony
3
: a close union
a marriage of music and verse

Legal Definition

marriage

noun
mar·​riage ˈmar-ij How to pronounce marriage (audio)
1
: the state of being united to a person as spouse in a legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolvable only by law see also divorce,Obergefell v. Hodges compare civil union
2
: the ceremony containing certain legal formalities by which a marriage relationship is created

More from Merriam-Webster on marriage

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