spouse

noun

\ ˈspau̇s also ˈspau̇z

Definition of spouse

(Entry 1 of 2)

: married person : husband, wife

spouse

verb

\ ˈspau̇z

, ˈspau̇s\

spoused; spousing

Definition of spouse (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

archaic

: wed

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Examples of spouse in a Sentence

Noun

my brothers and sisters and their spouses employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Amid the chaos, families still search for children, parents, spouses, often in vain. — Cara Anna, The Seattle Times, "‘It’s not safe anywhere:’ Mozambique cyclone scattered lives," 30 Mar. 2019 Attending in her spouse's place, Miley stunned in a sheer red Valentino gown from the brand's Pre-Fall 2019 collection. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Miley Cyrus Stuns in a Sheer Valentino Gown on the Red Carpet Without Liam Hemsworth," 12 Feb. 2019 Many are hosted by the vineyard owner or spouse, even a family member, and are often only open at weekends; always call or email ahead before visiting to confirm your ETA. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Swiss Wine Vacation We All Need to Take," 11 Sep. 2018 These include their descendants, spouses, colleagues, rivals and employees during more than 160 years. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Is a Transfixing Epic of Riches and Ruin," 13 July 2018 He is mentioned in court documents as Huffman's spouse, but not by name, and was not charged. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "How Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy Became Involved the College Admissions Scandal," 13 Mar. 2019 The film stars Jonathan Silverman as Adam, a genetics professor at the fictional Andover University, and real-life wife Jennifer Finnigan as his spouse, Dawn. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "In 'Andover,' a scientist clones his dead wife," 31 May 2018 Alma, Boone’s bride, died in 2007 and is buried in Arlington as a military spouse. — Natalie Dreier, ajc, "Cemetery worker carries World War II vet to wife’s Arlington grave," 1 May 2018 Lawyers often advise each spouse to hire their own legal counsel to review the contract on behalf of their best interests, so this option gets expensive, fast. — Hannah Hickok, Glamour, "I Got a Prenup—but It Wasn't to Protect My Money," 27 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spouse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for spouse

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-