wedlock

noun

wed·​lock ˈwed-ˌläk 

: the state of being married : marriage, matrimony

see also:

out of wedlock

Synonyms of wedlock

• marriage

Examples of wedlock in a Sentence

joined the happy couple in holy wedlock

Recent Examples on the Web

Fruit babies born out of wedlock are thus often the wrong variety of fruit. — Kat Tenbarge, Wired News, 25 Mar. 2026

Why would a woman struggling with finding housing have four kids out of wedlock? — John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026

Neither bride nor groom have kids from previous relationships out of wedlock. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Acknowledging that most civil law now permits legitimization after the fact, some jurisdictions still discriminate against a child born out of wedlock. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wedlok, from Old English wedlāc marriage bond, from wedd pledge + -lāc, suffix denoting activity

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wedlock

• born out of wedlock
• out of wedlock

Rhymes for wedlock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

wedlock

noun

wed·​lock ˈwed-ˌläk 

: the state of being married