wedlock

noun

wed·lock | \ ˈwed-ˌläk

How to pronounce wedlock (audio)

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Definition of wedlock

: the state of being married : marriage, matrimony

out of wedlock

: with the natural parents not legally married to each other

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about wedlock

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Examples of wedlock in a Sentence

joined the happy couple in holy wedlock

Recent Examples on the Web There are odd, unlikely romances, a suicide, and babies born out of wedlock. — Moira Hodgson, WSJ, "‘House of Trelawney’ Review: The Weight of the Estate," 1 Jan. 2021 The out-of-wedlock pregnancy finalized the painful break with Emmeline, who refused to see Sylvia and died months after her grandson was born. — Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, "The uncompromising life and legacy of activist Sylvia Pankhurst," 23 Dec. 2020 Various hospitalizations meant to control his addictions and ballooning weight made headlines in his homeland, as did his birthday parties, stories about his children born out of wedlock — most anything Maradona was grist for the media. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, Los Angeles Times, "The life of soccer great Diego Maradona was fit for the tabloids. So is his death," 3 Dec. 2020 The third movie, on the other hand, came 16 years later, and despite the kick of Al Pacino reprising the role of Michael Corleone and Andy Garcia's ferocious performance as Vincent, his brother's out-of-wedlock son, pales by comparison. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "'The Godfather, Coda' tries to pull you back in by taking another whack at the trilogy's Fredo," 3 Dec. 2020 Latino population — poverty, high-school-dropout rates, children born out of wedlock — but wants solutions to come from churches, individuals and private charities, not government. — Marcela Valdes, New York Times, "The Fight to Win Latino Voters for the G.O.P.," 24 Nov. 2020 These mixed analogies suggest that neither wedlock nor siblinghood adequately captures what these friendships feel like. — Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, "When a Friend Is Your Life Partner," 20 Oct. 2020 Her mother was also living with a man out of wedlock. — Annette Gordon-reed, The New York Review of Books, "Rebellious History," 6 Oct. 2020 As the child of an out-of-wedlock birth, her stigma threatens the sanctity of her family's prominence in Kyoto. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "Best books of fall 2020," 1 Oct. 2020

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

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“Wedlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedlock. Accessed 21 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for wedlock

wedlock

noun

English Language Learners Definition of wedlock

: the state of being married

See the full definition for wedlock in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wedlock

noun

wed·lock | \ ˈwed-ˌläk

\

Kids Definition of wedlock

: marriage sense 1

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