betrothal

American  

[bih-troh-thuhl, -traw-thuhl] / bɪˈtroʊ ðəl, -ˈtrɔ θəl /

Also betrothment

noun

1. the act or state of being betrothed; betrothed; engagement.

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betrothal British  

/ bɪˈtrəʊðəl /

noun

1. engagement to be married

2. a mutual promise to marry

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Other Word Forms

• prebetrothal adjective

Etymology

Origin of betrothal

First recorded in 1835–45; betroth + -al ²

Example Sentences

The betrothal itself is a choreographed ritual of gestures.

From The Wall Street Journal

The couple posted from Paris, where the betrothal appears to have gone down.

From Los Angeles Times

They announced their betrothal Sunday at Ebony’s Power 100 Gala.

From Los Angeles Times

Then my four-year betrothal to a handsome, wonderful man had been called off, and I was left considering that I might have deliberately blown it up.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Baxter, who works as a lab technician, said he believed it was a betrothal ring.

From BBC