wedding

[wed-ing]

noun

1. the act or ceremony of marrying; marriage; nuptials.

2. the anniversary of a marriage, or its celebration.

   They invited guests to their silver wedding.

3. the act or an instance of blending or joining, especially opposite or contrasting elements.

   a perfect wedding of conservatism and liberalism.

4. Business Slang.,  a merger.

adjective

1. of or relating to a wedding.

   the wedding ceremony; a wedding dress.

wedding

/ ˈwɛdɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the act of marrying or the celebration of a marriage

   2. ( as modifier )

      wedding day

2. the anniversary of a marriage (in such combinations as silver wedding or diamond wedding )

3. the combination or blending of two separate elements

Word History and Origins

Origin of wedding¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English “matrimony, wedlock, marriage,” Old English weddung “betrothal”; wed, -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see shotgun wedding.

Synonym Study

See marriage.

Example Sentences

The church rose to global prominence in the 1970s and 80s, becoming known for mass weddings often held in stadiums.

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The Cladhan was once a favoured placed for wedding receptions, anniversaries and birthday parties.

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The Labor leader's proposal and the wedding reception both took place at his official residence, The Lodge.

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Bones transformed classical singer Charlotte Church into her drag sister, named Blood, and the pair donned co-ordinated cream silk and lace outfits as part of a vampire wedding fantasy.

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"I was at my brother's wedding," he says.

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Related Words

• marriage