husband

American  

[huhz-buhnd] / ˈhʌz bənd /

noun

1. a married man, especially when considered in relation to his partner in marriage.

2. British. a manager.

3. Archaic. a prudent or frugal manager.

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verb (used with object)

1. to manage, especially with prudent economy.

2. to use frugally; conserve.

   to husband one's resources.

   Synonyms:

   hoard, store, save, preserve

3. Archaic.

   1. to be or become a husband to; marry.

   2. to find a husband for.

   3. to till; cultivate.

husband British  

/ ˈhʌzbənd /

noun

1. a woman's partner in marriage

2. archaic

   1. a manager of an estate

   2. a frugal person

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verb

1. to manage or use (resources, finances, etc) thriftily

2. archaic

   1. (tr) to find a husband for

   2. (of a woman) to marry (a man)

3. obsolete (tr) to till (the soil)

Other Word Forms

• husbander noun
• husbandless adjective
• unhusbanded adjective

Etymology

Origin of husband

before 1000; Middle English husband ( e ), Old English hūsbonda master of the house < Old Norse hūsbōndi, equivalent to hūs house + bōndi ( bō-, variant of bū- dwell ( boor ) + -nd present participle suffix + -i inflectional ending)

Example Sentences

She and her husband do not watch TV, but her husband works from home and is "always on the computer", she says.

From BBC

She fell into an exclusive relationship with her future husband, Eric, at 19.

From Los Angeles Times

Cherry's husband Clint Harrison told the court on Monday that his wife's death had left him without a future to look forward to and he only had "an empty present to survive".

From BBC

Now Begg is the sole CEO, she acknowledges she has less time to spend with family, so her husband left his job to be more present at home.

From BBC

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, his family said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• companion
• partner
• spouse