civil union

noun

: the legal status that ensures to same-sex couples specified rights and responsibilities of married couples

Examples of civil union in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2014 act went further than the original laws by banning marriages and civil unions, the operation of gay organizations and social clubs, public expressions of LGBTQ+ identity and advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights. —Damisola Sulaiman, The Dial, 20 Feb. 2025

Since 2003, the Polish parliament has discussed legalizing civil unions at least five times—but each time, the proposals have foundered for want of government support. —Marta Figlerowicz, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2019

Mary and Romain entered into a civil union in 2018, and celebrated their nuptials with a wedding ceremony the following year. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024

In 2018, Mary entered a civil union with her husband Romain Bonnet, celebrating their nuptials with a wedding ceremony the following year. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for civil union

• antiunion
• communion
• disunion
• nonunion

Legal Definition

civil union

noun

: the legal status that ensures to same-sex couples specified rights and responsibilities of married couples

Note: Following Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. ___ (2015), civil unions in some states were converted to marriages by operation of law, or could be converted by action of the couple.