marriage Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
    union; spousal relationship; matrimony; wedlock.
    • a long and happy marriage
    • God bless this union
  2. noun two people who are married to each other
    married couple; man and wife.
    • his second marriage was happier than the first
    • a married couple without love
  3. noun the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony
    marriage ceremony; wedding.
    • their marriage was conducted in the chapel
  4. noun a close and intimate union
    • the marriage of music and dance
    • a marriage of ideas

WordNet

Mar"riage noun
Etymology
OE. mariage, F. mariage. See Marry, v. t.
Definitions
  1. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.
    Marriage is honorable in all. Heb. xiii. 4.
  2. The marriage vow or contract. Obs. Chaucer.
  3. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
    The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son. Matt. xxii. 2.
  4. Any intimate or close union. Syn. -- Matrimony; wedlock; wedding; nuptials. -- Marriage, Matrimony, Wedlock. Marriage is properly the act which unites the two parties, and matrimony the state into which they enter. Marriage is, however, often used for the state as well as the act. Wedlock is the old Anglo-Saxon term for matrimony.

Webster 1913