honeymoon

American  

[huhn-ee-moon] / ˈhʌn iˌmun /

noun

1. a vacation or trip taken by a newly married couple (often used attributively).

   After you've said "I do," why not escape to a dream honeymoon in Greece?

   Relax and kindle the flame of passion in one of our honeymoon suites.

2. a period of harmony at the beginning of a marriage.

   After the initial honeymoon, there may be a temptation to let routine take over.

3. any period of blissful harmony.

   Their entire 60 years of marriage was one long honeymoon.

4. any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill.

   The honeymoon between Congress and the new president was over.

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verb (used without object)

1. to spend one's honeymoon (usually followed by in orat ).

   In a few months we’ll be honeymooning in New Zealand, and we can't wait!

honeymoon British  

/ ˈhʌnɪˌmuːn /

noun

1. 1. a holiday taken by a newly married couple

   2. ( as modifier )

      a honeymoon cottage

2. a holiday considered to resemble a honeymoon

   a second honeymoon

3. the early, usually calm period of a relationship, such as a political or business one

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verb

1. (intr) to take a honeymoon

Other Word Forms

• honeymooner noun

Etymology

Origin of honeymoon

First recorded in 1540–50; honey + moon

Example Sentences

She and her two siblings grew up under the watchful eye of a taxidermied chicken in a museum case that her parents picked up on their honeymoon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

They married in June 1957 and had a honeymoon in Atlantic City, N.J.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

She had gone out for her "last night out in Felixstowe" on the 17 September before she and her husband went on a six-month honeymoon.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Japan votes in snap elections Sunday with polls pointing to a resounding win for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's conservatives after a honeymoon start for the country's first woman leader.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

They lost the deposit they’d paid to Shah Jahan caterers, as well as to their honeymoon destination, Palace on Wheels.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri