civil marriage

American

noun

a marriage performed by a government official, as distinguished from a member of the clergy.

civil marriage British

noun

law a marriage performed by some official other than a clergyman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of civil marriage

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before he was enthroned, the king married Mayisela in 2021 in a civil marriage.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2025

A civil marriage ceremony can be performed for an extra $28, according to the clerk-recorder’s office.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2024

Although today most Americans are likely to encounter a justice of the peace in the context of civil marriage ceremonies, this office was once the most important agent of law enforcement.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2023

Uner the proposals, same-sex couples could have a service in which there would be "prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing on the couple" in church after a civil marriage.

From Reuters • Jan. 18, 2023

Celebration of Marriage.—A civil marriage must be celebrated according to the requirements of the code, as changed or modified by subsequent orders, decrees and legislation.

From Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World by Ringrose, Hyacinthe

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023