commitment ceremony

American  

[kuh-mit-muhnt ser-uh-moh-nee] / kəˈmɪt mənt ˌsɛr əˌmoʊ ni /

noun

1. a ceremony and celebration that affirms the love and commitment between two people who cannot or do not want to marry each other, typically a same-sex couple.

---

Etymology

Origin of commitment ceremony

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Among other factors, they look at whether the couple was in a committed relationship, lived together or owned property together, supported each other financially, raised children together, or held a commitment ceremony.

From Slate • Jan. 31, 2022

We started with nine people and had a commitment ceremony, where among other things we described the attributes and strengths we perceived in each person.

From Washington Post • Oct. 1, 2021

As he sat in an empty classroom, Mr. Prasnikar said that he and Ms. Gerber were not legally married, but they had assembled some friends and relatives for a small commitment ceremony.

From New York Times • Aug. 25, 2021

So we decided instead to have a commitment ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2021

About 10 years later they had a commitment ceremony to celebrate their relationship.

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2017