civil marriage

noun

1. a marriage performed by a government official, as distinguished from a member of the clergy.

civil marriage

noun

1. law a marriage performed by some official other than a clergyman

Word History and Origins

Origin of civil marriage¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

At the moment, these weddings aren’t officially recognized, so couples who exchange humanist vows need to have a civil marriage as well.

From Ozy

It was made by Lanvin in 1966 for the ceremony after her civil marriage.

From The Daily Beast

Civil marriage: Yesh Atid's success reflects, in part, public pushback against the power of clerical parties.

From The Daily Beast

Citizens should be able to access civil marriage and divorce without having to turn religious authorities if they so choose.

From The Daily Beast

And once civil divorce has been achieved, as backwards as it seems, then maybe civil marriage will follow.

From The Daily Beast

Currently, there's no such thing as civil marriage in Israel.

From The Daily Beast

In Paris a civil marriage before the mayor of the district is necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

Annabel chattered all the way about civil marriage, and directed Miss Chantry to wait for us while we went in to the mayor.

From Project Gutenberg

A civil marriage was going forward, and a strange bridal party looked at us.

From Project Gutenberg

The knot would be cut by introducing civil marriage into India generally for all who preferred it.

From Project Gutenberg

The civil marriage takes place either the day before or early on the same day as the religious ceremony.

From Project Gutenberg