noun
wedlock
WEHD-lok
noun
1
The state of being legally married.
"The couple had two children born in wedlock."
How to Use Wedlock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal, somewhat old-fashioned word for the married state.
When to use it
Mostly used in the set phrases "in wedlock" and "out of wedlock"; rarely used as a plain everyday word for marriage.
Common pairings
born out of wedlock
in wedlock
state of wedlock
Word Forms
wedlocks plural
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Etymology
From Old English wedlāc ("marriage vow, pledge") — built from wed plus an old suffix meaning "action" or "practice," seen also in "knowledge".