MARRIAGE Definition & Meaning - Black's Law Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

MARRIAGE Definition & Meaning - Black's Law Dictionary? ›

Marriage, as distinguished from the agreement to marry and from the act of becoming married, Is the civil status of one man and one woman united in law for life, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties legally incumbent on those whose association is founded on the distinction of sex.

Marriage is the legal union of individuals. The basic elements of a marriage are: (1) the parties' legal ability to marry each other, (2) mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as required by law.

marriage, a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring (if any).

1. a. : the state of being united as spouses in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. b. : the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock.

SPOUSE Definition & Legal Meaning

a term that is used to describe a person's husband or wife.

Marriage, as distinguished from the agreement to marry and from the act of becoming married, Is the civil status of one man and one woman united in law for life, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties legally incumbent on those whose association is founded on the distinction of sex.

“Haven't you read,” Jesus replied, “that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

The husband is to be the head, the leader, just as Christ is the head. The woman, who is from man, is a picture of the Church, the bride, and the body. The two are to become one flesh. God's purpose for marriage is to be a picture of the covenant relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

The main goal of marriage was to serve as an alliance between families, so parents throughout history arranged marriages for children that would benefit both sides. Most couples didn't marry because they were in love, but rather for economic liaisons.

A healthy marriage is characterized by open communication, mutual respect, trust, and emotional support. Both partners feel valued and heard, and they work together to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner.

What is the scientific definition of marriage? ›

Definition. Marriage is a sociosexual and socially recognized bond of some duration between a man and a woman. This is the traditional definition of marriage, although other sociosexual partnerships may meet the criterion.

1. the social institution under which two people establish their decision to live together by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. 2. the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock.

Definitions of marriage. noun. the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce) “a long and happy marriage” synonyms: matrimony, spousal relationship, union, wedlock.

RELATIONSHIP Definition & Legal Meaning

A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other.

Acting together or in concert or co-operation ; holding in common or interdependently, not separately.

LIFE Definition & Legal Meaning

That state of animals and plants, or of an organized being, in which its natural functions and motions are performed, or in which its organs are capable of performing their functions. Webster. The sum of the forces by which death is resisted.

It is the second account, found in Genesis 2:4:15-25, which has been consistently used in the marriage debate to show that the biblical definition of marriage is the union of a man and a woman. In this story, woman is formed from the rib of man while he is asleep. When he wakes, Adam names her and takes her as his own.

(a) In general. For federal tax purposes, the terms spouse, husband, and wife mean an individual lawfully married to another individual. The term husband and wife means two individuals lawfully married to each other.

1913 – The federal government formally recognizes marriage in law for the first time with the passage of the Revenue Act of 1913. 1929 – All states now have laws regarding marriage licenses. 1933 – Married women granted right to citizenship independent of their husbands.

Married people are both responsible for and responsible to another human being, and both halves of that dynamic lead the married to live more responsible, fruitful, and satisfying lives. Marriage is a transformative act, changing the way two people look at each other, at the future, and at their roles in society.