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.

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Etymology

Origin of commitment ceremony

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Life coach Paul told Charlie she wasn't "giving this experiment any bit of fairness", while his fellow expert Mel called her out for "lying" at the commitment ceremony.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2024

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

And three years ago, the Supreme Court declined to hear a 1st Amendment claim from the photographer who refused to shoot photos of a commitment ceremony for two women.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2017