spouse

1 of 2

noun

ˈspau̇s 

also

ˈspau̇z 

: married person : husband, wife

spouse

2 of 2

verb

ˈspau̇z  ˈspau̇s 

spoused; spousing

transitive verb

archaic

: wed

Synonyms

Noun

• better half
• consort
• mate
• partner
• significant other

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

Trump has had a Secret Service detail since 2016, and all former presidents and their spouses have Secret Service protection for the remainder of their lives, unless that person declines. —Caroline Linton, CBS News, 14 July 2024

The delegation, which includes Trump children plus spouses and significant others, is bound to get outsized attention. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2024

While some families may pass fortunes directly to next generations, inheritances can often be a two-step process — first going to the surviving spouse and then handed down by that spouse to the next generation. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 12 July 2024

But back to Wednesday’s outing at the Smithsonian, where 23 diplomatic spouses and partners had gathered to break bread. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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-

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

spouse

noun

ˈspau̇s,

 also  ˈspau̇z

: a married person : husband, wife

spousal

ˈspau̇-zəl

-səl

adjective