prenuptial agreement

noun

ˈprē-ˌnəp 

variants or less commonly prenup or prenuptial

: an agreement made between two people before marrying that establishes rights to property and support in the event of divorce or death

Prenuptial agreements have long been used by couples who want to set down the terms of any future divorce before they walk down the aisle.

—Desa Philadelphia

Even though there's a prenup, it's unclear how much of Liz's money Fortensky will end up with …

—Newsweek

Examples of prenuptial agreement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The couple's prenuptial agreement from Dec. 2019 was honored in the settlement, according to the documents obtained by PEOPLE, which Bick signed on Dec. 12 and Griffin, 64, signed on Jan. 6. —Julia Moore, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025

Legal Precedents And Protections Traditional child support clauses are unenforceable in prenuptial agreements, says Brian Mayer, senior counsel at Schoenberg Family Law Group. —Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The actress acknowledged their special day on her Instagram story, sharing their wedding photo alluding to the couple's prenuptial agreement. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Soon after their engagement, questions surfaced surrounding a prenuptial agreement. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prenuptial agreement

• disagreement

Legal Definition

prenuptial agreement

noun

pre·​nup·​tial agreement

prē-ˈnəp-shəl-, -chəl-

: antenuptial agreement