wedlock

[ wed-lok ]

noun

1. the state of marriage; matrimony.

wedlock

/ ˈwɛdlɒk /

noun

1. the state of being married
2. born out of wedlock
   born when one's parents are not legally married

Word History and Origins

Origin of wedlock¹

before 1100; Middle English wedlok, Old English wedlāc literally, a pledging, equivalent to wed pledge ( wed ) + -lāc verbal noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of wedlock¹

Old English wedlāc, from wedd pledge + -lāc, suffix denoting activity, perhaps from lāc game, battle (related to Gothic laiks dance, Old Norse leikr )

Idioms and Phrases

see out of wedlock .

Example Sentences

A small-town kid born out of wedlock, he moved from the rustic countryside of Vinci, 30 miles west of Florence, to the sophisticated city to make his way.

From Los Angeles Times

But he was instead mired in scandal, including mounting debts and lawsuits and backlash from two children born out of wedlock.

From Los Angeles Times

He faced mounting costs for legal fees, spousal support and payments for children he fathered out of wedlock.

From Los Angeles Times

Catherine gave birth in an orphanage in Dublin and, because of attitudes at the time about children born out of wedlock, she was coerced into giving Gladys up for adoption.

From BBC

Cohen also recounted going to Trump after learning about a Trump Tower doorman who claimed, falsely, that Trump had a child out of wedlock.

From Seattle Times

About This Word

What does wedlock mean?

Wedlock is the state of being married.

The term is rarely used by itself simply to refer to the state of marriage other than in very formal religious contexts.

Instead, wedlock is most commonly used in criticism of the actions of couples who are not married, most especially in the phrase born out of wedlock—meaning born when one’s parents are not legally married.

This phrase and the beliefs and criticisms that go with it are often themselves criticized for stigmatizing children and their parents when those parents are not married or were not married at the time of the birth.

Other instances of the use of the word wedlock also involve criticism of actions taken by partners who are not married, such as living together or engaging in sexual activity out of wedlock.

Where does wedlock come from?

The first records of the word wedlock come from before the 1100s. The suffix -lock is not the same lock that you open with a key or that’s found in words like gridlock or headlock. Instead the word comes from the Old English wedlāc, meaning “a pledging.” This word is based on the Old English wed, which means “pledge” and is, unsurprisingly, related to the word wedding.

Due to religious and societal beliefs that have existed throughout much of history, having children without being married has often been considered immoral—or at least a situation to be avoided. Such beliefs often lead people to criticize those who do so, resulting in the use of stigmatizing terms like born out of wedlock or illegitimate to label such children.

Similar criticisms have traditionally been issued against partners who live together outside of wedlock (sometimes called cohabiting, cohabitating, or even living in sin, all of which have negative connotations) or who engage in sexual activity outside of wedlock. In both of these cases, the phrase outside of marriage is probably more commonly used than outside of wedlock—but it carries the same critical tone.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for wedlock?

• matrimony

What are some words that share a root or word element with wedlock? 

 

• wed
• wedding

What are some words that often get used in discussing wedlock?

• born
• birth
• pregnant
• child
• children
• marriage
• wedding
• couple
• spouse
• wife
• husband

How is wedlock used in real life?

Wedlock can be used in a neutral or positive way to refer to the state of being married, but it’s most commonly used in critical comments that refer to not being married.

Does God approve that I am pregnant out of wedlock ? No. Is he still working on me? Yes. Does that mean I’m not allowed to tell y’all how good he is? Absolutely not. He without sin cast the first stone.

— Butterflies Part 2 Out Now (@queennaija) December 10, 2018

15 years ago today I met you, 7 and a half years of wedlock, 3 kids later here we stand still glowing ❤️❤️❤️❤️ @Jennapollard26 . Forever to go #nomorekidsand more happiness love you J. #blessedandthankful❤️ . https://t.co/gizKIw4NCe

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) May 19, 2020

Could somebody tell me why we still say that somebody “got pregnant out of wedlock”? Why oh why is it called wedlock only if you got pregnant out of it?

— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) November 5, 2019