marriage

n. institution of being wed, wedlock; wedding ceremony, ceremony in which a man and woman are legally joined together; pairing, coupling; joining together of two parties

“Spouse” redirects here. For more information on the role, see Husband or Wife. Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage.
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Mo·nog·a·my n. 1. The practice or condition of being married to only one person at a time. 2. The condition of having only one mate. [more]Marriage - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce); "a long and happy marriage"; "God bless this union"
(synonym) matrimony, union, spousal relationship, wedlock
(hypernym) marital status
(hyponym) bigamy
(classification) law, jurisprudence
2. two people who are married to each other; "his second marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple without love"
(synonym) married couple, man and wife
(hypernym) family, family unit
(hyponym) mixed marriage
(member-meronym) spouse, partner, married person, mate, better half
3. the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage was conducted in the chapel"
(synonym) wedding, marriage ceremony
(hypernym) ritual, rite
(hyponym) bridal, espousal
(derivation) marry, wed, tie, splice
4. a close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and dance"; "a marriage of ideas"
(hypernym) union, unification

(v. t.)
The marriage vow or contract.
  

(v. t.)
The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.
  

(v. t.)
Any intimate or close union.
  

(v. t.)
A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.