concubinage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not exactly. 'Cohabitation' is a modern, neutral term for living together. 'Concubinage' is a historical/formal term implying a specific, often legally/socially recognized but inferior, status compared to marriage.

Traditionally, the term was applied to heterosexual relationships, specifically where the woman had the status of a concubine. Modern academic use might cautiously apply it to analogous same-sex relationships in historical contexts, but this is rare. The term is not used for contemporary same-sex partnerships.

It is related but distinct. Polygamy typically refers to having multiple spouses. Concubinage involves a primary marriage plus secondary, non-marital partners (concubines) with lesser rights. The man in a concubinage system is often married to one wife but may have several concubines.

The social and legal institutions it described have largely disappeared or been transformed in most societies. The modern, egalitarian concept of 'cohabitation' or 'de facto partnership' has replaced it in contemporary discourse, lacking the hierarchical and property-based connotations of 'concubinage'.

The state of cohabiting or having a sexual relationship as if married, but without legal marriage.

Concubinage is usually formal, legal, historical, academic in register.

Concubinage: in British English it is pronounced /kɒnˈkjuːbɪnɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑnˈkjubɪnɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.