wed

verb

ˈwed 

wedded also wed; wedding

transitive verb

1

: to take for wife or husband by a formal ceremony : marry

2

: to join in marriage

3

: to unite as if by marriage: such as

a

: to place in close or intimate association

films that made me conscious of the power of wedding image to music

—Gerald Early

b

: to link by commitment or custom

was wed to the old ways

intransitive verb

: to enter into matrimony

wedder noun

Synonyms

• espouse
• marry
• match

Examples of wed in a Sentence

They will wed in the fall.

The actress wed her fourth husband last year.

The novel weds tragedy and comedy.

His new writing job wedded his love of words and his eye for fashion.

Recent Examples on the Web

At times, the president’s lucrative exploits in private sector ventures have appeared to be wedded to political initiatives, such as his involvement in the crypto industry. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025

This pre-arranged parting, announced last November, was meant to suit Lineker and the BBC after 26 years wedded together but a relationship strained to breaking point by his airing of political opinions will now not stretch that far. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Establishment Republicans, wedded to a bygone era, hesitated. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Glasner arrived wedded to a 3-4-2-1 formation, and a philosophy set on pressing and counter-attacking. —Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wedden, from Old English weddian; akin to Middle High German wetten to pledge, Old English wedd pledge, Old High German wetti, Goth wadi, Latin vad-, vas bail, security

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for wed

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

wed

verb

ˈwed 

wedded also wed; wedding

1

: to take, give, or join in marriage : marry

2

: to unite firmly as if by marriage