spouse

1 of 2

noun

: married person : husband, wife

spouse

2 of 2

verb

spoused; spousing

transitive verb

archaic
: wed

Examples of spouse in a Sentence

Noun my brothers and sisters and their spouses employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan
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.
Noun
That can include jokes about the comedians’ marriages—the kind of ragging that most people probably wouldn’t accept from their spouse in public, and that can be hurtful or sexist in the wrong context. Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2025 It is also known as the most family-friendly day of the tournament because often golfers choose to have their family members (from children and grandchildren to spouses and significant others) serve as their caddies. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Selling Sunset star recently celebrated her 43rd birthday by renewing her vows to spouse G Flip in Australia, G Flip’s home country. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for spouse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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-

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spouse was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spouse. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

spouse

noun
ˈspau̇s,
 also  ˈspau̇z
: a married person : husband, wife
spousal
ˈspau̇-zəl
-səl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on spouse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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