J. T. Shawcross
Usage of Marriage
The definition of the word marriage—or, more accurately, the understanding of what the institution of marriage properly consists of—continues to be highly controversial. This is not an issue to be resolved by dictionaries. Ultimately, the controversy involves cultural traditions, religious beliefs, legal rulings, and ideas about fairness and basic human rights. The principal point of dispute has to do with marriage between two people of the same sex, often referred to as same-sex marriage or gay marriage. Same-sex marriages are now recognized by law in a growing number of countries and were legally validated throughout the U.S. by the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. In many other parts of the world, marriage continues to be allowed only between men and women. The definition of marriage shown here is intentionally broad enough to encompass the different types of marriage that are currently recognized in varying cultures, places, religions, and systems of law.
Examples of marriage in a Sentence
Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Some became alcoholics, while others struggled to hold their marriages together.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025
After ending his marriages to Patricia Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley, Nicolas Cage married Riko Shibata in 2021
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Actor Nicolas Cage has had several high-profile relationships throughout his career.
—Emy Lacroix, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
While the discourse surrounding social media’s negative impacts on mental health tends to focus on teens, excessive screen time may be harming adults and their marriages, too.
—Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for marriage
Cite this Entry
“Marriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marriage. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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marriage
noun
Legal Definition
marriage
noun
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