# marriage

/ˈmɛɹɪdʒ/ (US) · /mˈæɹɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marriage
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the state of being married

noun · CEFR A2

the legal, social, or religious relationship between people who have promised to live together as partners.

For teachers: the legal, social, or religious status of being wed; a formal union between partners that establishes rights and obligations.

- They have a very strong marriage because they always talk about their problems.
- Sociologists argue that the institution of marriage has evolved significantly over the last century to reflect changing gender roles and legal frameworks.

### 2. a wedding ceremony

noun · CEFR B1

the event or ceremony where two people get married.

For teachers: the formal ceremony or ritual marking the beginning of a marital union.

- The whole family gathered at the church for the marriage of the youngest daughter.
- The marriage was celebrated in a private ceremony, attended only by immediate family and a few close associates of the couple.

### 3. a combination of things

noun · CEFR B2

a successful or pleasing combination of two different things.

For teachers: a figurative union or combination of two or more distinct elements, often resulting in a harmonious or effective whole.

- The restaurant's success is a perfect marriage of great food and low prices.
- The architect's latest project represents a seamless marriage of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge sustainable technology.

### 4. card games

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a pair consisting of a king and a queen of the same suit in certain card games.

For teachers: a combination of a king and a queen of the same suit held in a single hand, particularly in games like pinochle or certain variants of poker.

- He won extra points because he held a marriage of hearts in his hand.
- In pinochle, declaring a marriage in the trump suit yields a higher point value than a marriage in a non-trump suit.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.