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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.

She also believed that a civil marriage would be valid only if it were held in a court.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025

Ronan, a four-time Oscar-nominated actor, married Jack Lowden, her “Mary Queen of Scots” co-star, in Scotland last weekend, the Irish Independent reported, citing Scottish civil marriage records.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 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

The civil marriage was to take place at the village registry, and the religious ceremony in the Castle chapel.

From Abb? Aubain and Mosaics by M?rim?e, Prosper

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