alimony

[al-uh-moh-nee]

noun

1. Law.,  an allowance paid to a person by that person's spouse or former spouse for maintenance, granted by a court upon a legal separation or a divorce or while action is pending.

2. supply of the means of living; maintenance.

alimony

/ ˈælɪmənɪ /

noun

1. law (formerly) an allowance paid under a court order by one spouse to another when they are separated but not divorced See also maintenance

Other Word Forms

• alimonied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alimony¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin alimōnia “nourishment, sustenance,” from ali- (stem of alere “to feed, nourish, support”) + -mōnia -mony; aliment

Word History and Origins

Origin of alimony¹

C17: from Latin alimōnia sustenance, from alere to nourish

Example Sentences

She said her alimony was low enough to make her eligible for food stamps.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The court may also award alimony, which is financial support that helps a dependent spouse,” the law firm adds.

Read more on MarketWatch

Buffett spelled it out in his 2014 letter to Berkshire shareholders with all the subtlety of a divorce lawyer explaining alimony.

Read more on MarketWatch

From there, he does the math: alimony payments, two kids in private schools, multiple car payments, all the fancy bells and whistles of a life that is over-leveraged.

Read more on Salon

Even with the threat of lost alimony hanging over her head, they can barely get Melania Trump to be around her husband, even for a photo-op.

Read more on Salon