civil marriage

noun

: a marriage performed by a magistrate

Examples of civil marriage in a Sentence

a mayor who has officiated at several civil marriages this year
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pellerin said her time as Santa Cruz County clerk and commissioner of civil marriage inspired her to champion the issue in the Legislature. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Though cost-friendly and streamlined civil marriage ceremonies are popular in some places, the average cost of a wedding is $36,000, according to Zola — while the average guest count has remained steady at around 145 people, similar to last year. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026 The ceremony was performed by San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Jordan Marks, who also holds the title of San Diego’s commissioner of civil marriages. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026 Placed in the context of rural Mexico, this was a common way for poor people to evade both the cost of a civil marriage and, at times, the authority of the family. — Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil marriage

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil marriage was in 1820

Rhymes for civil marriage

See All Rhymes for civil marriage

Browse Nearby Words

civilly dead
civil marriage
civil process
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civil marriage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20marriage. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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