wed

verb

ˈwed 

wedded also wed; wedding

transitive verb

1

: to take for wife or husband by a formal ceremony : marry

2

: to join in marriage

3

: to unite as if by marriage: such as

a

: to place in close or intimate association

films that made me conscious of the power of wedding image to music

—Gerald Early

b

: to link by commitment or custom

was wed to the old ways

intransitive verb

: to enter into matrimony

wedder noun

Synonyms

• espouse
• marry
• match

Examples of wed in a Sentence

They will wed in the fall.

The actress wed her fourth husband last year.

The novel weds tragedy and comedy.

His new writing job wedded his love of words and his eye for fashion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, Charles also remarried, wedding Queen Camilla in 2005. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024

James proposes in the season finale, and the two are currently wedding planning. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024

But even in the absence of an agreement, serious talks can cause divides within terrorist groups, splitting those who seek a political settlement from those still wedded to fighting. —Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2024

We are wedded to too many public policies — on crime, education and economic development — that simply aren’t working. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wedden, from Old English weddian; akin to Middle High German wetten to pledge, Old English wedd pledge, Old High German wetti, Goth wadi, Latin vad-, vas bail, security

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

wed

verb

ˈwed 

wedded also wed; wedding

1

: to take, give, or join in marriage : marry

2

: to unite firmly as if by marriage