courtship

noun

court·​ship ˈkȯrt-ˌship How to pronounce courtship (audio)
: the act, process, or period of courting

Examples of courtship in a Sentence

They had a two-year courtship before marrying. The male of the species often displays aggression during courtship. the President's courtship of middle-class voters
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are some phrases, though, that should raise red flags if used early on in a courtship. 1. Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025 Such is the fate for courtship between vast but underpopulated remote island states, and a major continental superpower with a long history of conquests behind it. Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025 Relationship Goals is a funny and inspiring romantic comedy on finding lasting love and sustaining a healthy relationship at every stage of courtship. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025 The absence at the inauguration of the chief executives of two of the world’s most valuable companies was perhaps the most visual sign that some companies were trying a lower-key approach as Mr. Trump returned to Washington, even as some peers took to flamboyant displays of courtship. Karen Weise, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for courtship

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtship was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courtship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtship. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

courtship

noun
court·​ship -ˌship How to pronounce courtship (audio)
: the act or process of courting

More from Merriam-Webster on courtship

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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