wedding ring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “wedding ring” mean?
A ring, typically made of precious metal, exchanged by partners during a marriage ceremony to symbolize their union.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ring, typically made of precious metal, exchanged by partners during a marriage ceremony to symbolize their union.
Any permanent symbol or object representing a committed marital relationship; metaphorically, the state or bond of marriage itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. 'Wedding ring' is standard in both. 'Wedding band' is also common, especially in American English, for a simpler, undecorated style.
Connotations
Equally strong symbolic connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common than 'wedding band' in the UK; 'wedding band' has comparable frequency in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “wedding ring” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wear + a wedding ring[Subject] + put on/take off + [Possessive] + wedding ringThe wedding ring + [Verb] + [Adjective]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wedding ring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are wedding-ring shopping in Hatton Garden.
- He wedding-ringed her finger in a simple ceremony.
American English
- They went wedding-ring shopping at the mall.
- She proudly wedding-ringed her new husband.
adverb
British English
- N/A for this noun phrase.
American English
- N/A for this noun phrase.
adjective
British English
- The wedding-ring finger is traditionally the left hand's fourth finger.
- They discussed wedding-ring design with the jeweller.
American English
- Her wedding-ring finger was bare.
- They had a wedding-ring consultation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail/jewellery contexts (e.g., 'Our new collection features designer wedding rings').
Academic
Rare, used in anthropological/sociological studies of marriage rituals.
Everyday
Common in discussions of marriage, relationships, and personal life.
Technical
Used in jewellery design/metallurgy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wedding ring”
- Incorrect: 'He gave her a wedding ring when he proposed.' (This describes an engagement ring). Correct: 'They exchanged wedding rings during the ceremony.'
- Incorrect plural: 'weddings rings'. Correct: 'wedding rings'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. An engagement ring is given at a proposal, symbolising the promise to marry. A wedding ring is exchanged during the marriage ceremony, symbolising the marriage itself. They are often worn together.
In most Western cultures, it is worn on the ring finger (fourth finger) of the left hand, based on an ancient belief that a vein from this finger led directly to the heart.
Yes, metonymically. For example, 'Under the wedding ring' is an archaic phrase meaning 'married'. In modern use, 'the wedding ring' can poetically represent the marital bond.
No, it is used in both British and American English. However, it is slightly more frequent and often preferred for plain, undecorated rings in American English. 'Wedding ring' remains the dominant term overall.
A ring, typically made of precious metal, exchanged by partners during a marriage ceremony to symbolize their union.
Wedding ring is usually formal, everyday in register.
Wedding ring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwed.ɪŋ ˌrɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwed.ɪŋ ˌrɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tie the knot (implies the exchange of rings)”
- “Under the wedding ring (archaic for being married)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Wed' (to marry) + 'ding' (sound) + 'ring' (circular object). The 'ding' of the church bell and the 'ring' go together at a wedding.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A CIRCLE/BOND (symbolized by the unbroken circle of the ring).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a common synonym for 'wedding ring', especially for a plain style?