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wedding

n. · v.
US //ˈwɛdɪŋ// UK //wˈɛdɪŋ// wed·ding
  1. 1 marriage ceremony (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the event or ceremony where two people get married.

    a marriage ceremony and the associated celebrations.

    Example

    They invited over a hundred guests to their wedding in the countryside.

    Example

    The wedding was a lavish affair held in a restored cathedral, followed by a reception that lasted well into the early hours of the morning.
    Pitfall
    I am going to a marriage on Saturday.
    I am going to a wedding on Saturday.

    Use 'wedding' for the ceremony and party; 'marriage' refers to the long-term relationship between the people.

  2. 2 joining together (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the joining of two or more different things.

    the act of joining or blending two or more disparate elements into a single unit.

    Example

    The building is a perfect wedding of modern and traditional styles.

    Example

    The chef's signature dish represents a masterful wedding of traditional French techniques and bold Southeast Asian flavours.
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  1. 3 attending a ceremony (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Humorous Informal

    to take part in a wedding, often used when you are having fun.

    to participate in or attend a wedding ceremony; often used with a lighthearted or playful tone.

    Example

    We spent the whole weekend wedding and dancing with our friends.

    Example

    After a long summer of wedding and feasting across the country, the couple was finally ready for a quiet honeymoon.

Etymology 1

From Middle English wedding, weddynge, from Old English weddung (“betrothal, espousal”), equivalent to wed + -ing. Cognate with Middle Dutch weddinghe.

Etymology 2

A conversion of wedding (noun) to a verb.

Idioms2 entries

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