divorce mill

American

noun

Informal.

a divorce court, especially such a court in a state or country that does not impose difficult requirements, as a long period of residence or humiliating grounds, on those who wish to dissolve their marriage.

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.

When Americans previously sought divorces, those who could afford it traveled to what became known as "divorce mill" states like South Dakota, Indiana and Nevada to take advantage of their shorter residency requirements.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2024

Last week the renowned divorce mill was grinding away at an unprecedented rate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Few things in Mexico ran as smoothly as the Ciudad Ju�rez quickie divorce mill.

From Time Magazine Archive

Did he have the grace to back off the screen before we got tired of him, or did he think it well to retire before the divorce mill got him?

From Time Magazine Archive

The Court of Divorce in Chicago, called by the Americans the "divorce mill," decided 681 cases during the year 1887.

From Jonathan and His Continent Rambles Through American Society by Allyn, Jack

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