marriage
n. C / Un. the legal or formal union between two people as partners in a relationship. It also describes the ceremony where this union begins or the long-term relationship itself.
n. the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship. It may refer to the state of being wedded, the social institution, or the specific wedding ceremony.
They celebrated twenty years of marriage with a big party.
After five years of dating, the couple decided that marriage was the right next step for their future together.
Sociologists often study how the institution of marriage has evolved from a strategic economic alliance into a partnership primarily defined by emotional compatibility and mutual support.
From Middle English mariage, from Old French mariage, from marier (“to marry”), from Latin marītō (“marry”, verb, literally “give in marriage”), from marītus (“lover”, “nuptial”), from mas (“male, masculine, of the male sex”). Equivalent to marry + -age. Doublet of maritage. Displaced native Old English sinsċipe.
Uncountable when referring to the institution or state in general; countable when referring to a specific wedding or a particular union.
They are in marriage for ten years.They have been married for ten years.Learners often use the noun 'marriage' with the preposition 'in' when they should use the adjective 'married' to describe a person's status.