spouse

noun \ ˈspau̇s also ˈspau̇z \

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Examples: spouse in a Sentence

Definition of spouse

: married person : husband, wife

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spousal

play \ˈspau̇-zəl, -səl\ adjective

See spouse defined for English-language learners

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Examples of spouse in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of spouse from the Web

In April, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security over the separation of US citizens from their spouses and children.

— simon montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, "In Boston, pushback on controversial ICE tactic separating families," 1 June 2018
Museum offer free general admission to active duty personnel, spouses and children.

— sonja haller, azcentral, "Best kids things to do in Phoenix this June: Westgate, Phoenix Art Museum, movie nights," 1 June 2018
The program also includes actors who play the role of the patient’s spouse.

— amy dockser marcus, WSJ, "Doctors Face Scrutiny About Defining Death," 28 May 2018
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 10% off entire purchase for active duty, reserve military, retirees, veterans, spouses and dependent children with military ID or veteran status on driver’s license.

— kelly tyko, USA TODAY, "Ten-hut! Restaurants, retailers offer Memorial Day savings to active military, veterans," 26 May 2018
For two days, Rockets coaches, players, their spouses and perhaps their children in elementary school cafeterias talked intently of playing intensely, faster, harder, with more force.

— michael powell, New York Times, "Rockets vs. Warriors: The Dead Live Again in Houston," 17 May 2018
The teens who survived now are in their 40s, with careers, spouses and children of their own.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Survivors still in agony over school bus crash that horrified a nation," 13 May 2018
How can caregivers provide great care for their mom or dad, for instance, while also giving time to their spouse and children?

— doug williams, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Balancing act: When you are in the sandwich generation," 27 Apr. 2018
Membership is open to Catholics and their spouses and children.

— jane napier neely, latimes.com, "The Valley Line: Thursday Club members treated to an island-themed luncheon, fashion show," 23 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of spouse

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-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

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