civil marriage
Americannoun
noun
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.
Albert, 62, and Paul, 71, had previously been in a civil marriage and while they had split up, they remained close and continued to live together.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2025
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
Now back in Beirut, Nammour believes the struggle to gain civil marriage rights will be a long one.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 25, 2022
Celebration.—The law of Servia does not recognize a civil marriage.
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
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
