civil partnership: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “civil partnership” mean?
A legally recognised union of two people of the same sex, granting rights and responsibilities similar to marriage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legally recognised union of two people of the same sex, granting rights and responsibilities similar to marriage.
A legal status created to provide same-sex couples with a means of official recognition and legal protection, often seen as a precursor or alternative to same-sex marriage. In some jurisdictions, it may also be available to opposite-sex couples.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'civil partnership' is a specific legal status defined by the Civil Partnership Act 2004. In the US, the term is less uniformly used; the concept is more commonly referred to as a 'civil union' or 'domestic partnership' at the state level, with 'same-sex marriage' now being the federally recognised standard.
Connotations
UK: A formal, legally distinct alternative to marriage. US: May be perceived as an outdated or lesser legal status compared to marriage, especially post-Obergefell v. Hodges.
Frequency
High frequency in UK legal and social discourse. Lower frequency in contemporary US discourse, where 'marriage equality' or 'same-sex marriage' is standard.
Grammar
How to Use “civil partnership” in a Sentence
[couple/they] + enter into/register/form + a civil partnershipa civil partnership + between + [person] + and + [person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “civil partnership” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to civilly partner last year.
- The couple will civil partner in a simple registry office ceremony.
American English
- The state allowed them to partner civilly prior to 2015.
- They opted to unionise under the civil partnership law.
adverb
British English
- They are now officially civil-partnered.
- The property was owned civil-partnershiply.
American English
- They were joined civilly under the old statute.
- The assets were held civil-unionly.
adjective
British English
- Their civil-partnered status granted them next-of-kin rights.
- The civil-partnership certificate was required for the visa.
American English
- The civil-union benefits were comprehensive.
- They had a civil-partnered financial arrangement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
HR policies must be updated to recognise employees in a civil partnership for benefits purposes.
Academic
The 2004 Act represented a significant milestone in the juridical recognition of same-sex relationships.
Everyday
My brother and his boyfriend are planning to register their civil partnership next spring.
Technical
The petitioner applied for a dissolution order under section 44 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “civil partnership”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “civil partnership”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “civil partnership”
- Using 'civil marriage' synonymously (a civil marriage is a non-religious wedding, not specifically for same-sex couples).
- Saying 'get married' when referring to forming a civil partnership.
- Assuming it is identical to marriage in all legal respects.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Legally, in jurisdictions like the UK, the rights and responsibilities are virtually identical. However, they are distinct legal institutions, with historical and symbolic differences, particularly regarding their original availability.
In the UK, yes, since 2019 following a Supreme Court ruling. Initially, it was only for same-sex couples.
The formal term is 'civil partner', but many couples use 'husband', 'wife', or 'partner' in social contexts.
No. The legal name and specifics vary significantly by country (e.g., 'civil union', 'registered partnership'). Always check local law.
A legally recognised union of two people of the same sex, granting rights and responsibilities similar to marriage.
Civil partnership is usually formal, legal in register.
Civil partnership: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪv.əl ˈpɑːt.nə.ʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪv.əl ˈpɑːrt.nɚ.ʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tie the knot in a registry office (informal, UK)”
- “make it legal”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CIVIL (legal, non-religious) PARTNERship (like a business partnership, but for life partners).
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL RECOGNITION IS A CONTRACT; A RELATIONSHIP IS A LEGAL ENTITY.
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary UK law, what is a key difference between a civil partnership and a marriage?