ˈmarij, -rēj also ˈmer- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Middle French, from marier to marry + -age — more at marry
1.
a. : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife
b. : the mutual relation of husband and wife : wedlock
c. : the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family — see monogamy , polygamy
2. : an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected : wedding ; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities — compare beena marriage , coemptio , confarreation , levirate
3. : an intimate or close union
4. : maritage
5. : the combination of a king and queen of the same suit (as in pinochle) — see royal marriage