spousal

1 of 2

adjective

spou·​sal ˈspau̇-zəl How to pronounce spousal (audio)
-səl
: of, relating to, or involving a spouse
spousal affection
spousal assault
spousal support
spousally adverb

spousal

2 of 2

noun

: nuptials
usually used in plural

Examples of spousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
A week after her filing, Arroyave responded to her petition and requested the court give the former couple joint custody and block Mellencamp's ability to receive spousal support but award him the same support. Esther Kang, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Christina Hall's estranged husband, Josh Hall, allegedly requested $65,000 of monthly spousal support as the two hammer out their divorce. Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces survivor or spousal benefits if a person’s pension is non-covered. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 The whole key to receiving a spousal benefit as a current spouse is that one spouse needs to be receiving their benefit for a spousal benefit to be available to a current spouse. Thomas Hager, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spousal 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spousaille, from Anglo-French spousailles, espusailles espousal

First Known Use

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spousal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spousal

Cite this Entry

“Spousal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spousal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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