bride price

Or bride-price

noun

1. (in some nonindustrial societies) the money or goods given to the family of a bride by the bridegroom or his family.

bride price

noun

1. (in some societies) money, property, or services given by a bridegroom to the kinsmen of his bride in order to establish his rights over the woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of bride price¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

There’s a longstanding tradition in China of men paying a bride price to their future wife’s family.

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Ms. Chan fears that when her parents find out, their demands for a bride price will ultimately prevail.

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Like most Gazan grooms, he needed to pay a bride price, in his case about $3,500, to the bride’s parents.

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Some pay the bride price, others opt to contribute to her livelihood.

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Unlike the king's other wives, her lobola, or bride price, of about 300 cattle was paid for by the Zulu nation, following a collection within communities.

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