betrothal
noun
be·troth·al bi-ˈtrō-t͟həl 
-ˈtrȯ-,
-thəl bē-
1
: the act of betrothing or fact of being betrothed
2
: a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage
Synonyms
- engagement
- espousal
- troth
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They were both young at the time of their betrothal. the couple's betrothal lasted four years
Recent Examples on the Web Kate Middleton also chose a blue ensemble — matching the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that previously belonged to Princess Diana — to publicly share the news of her betrothal to Prince William back in 2010. 
Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 Soprano Ashley Fabian made a fetching Ginevra, portraying in full voice the excitement and joy of her betrothal, and later the confusion and horror of her mad scene. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 The betrothal is framed as a triumph of her and Tony’s commitment, which survived the fights that Caldwell engineered while suffering from PMDD. Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022 To further stabilize the new Union’s position in Europe, Margrete has negotiated the betrothal of Erik to Philippa, the 13-year-old daughter of the King of England. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Dec. 2021 Thus, last month, the SEC and Texas and Oklahoma Universities stunned the college-sports world by announcing a betrothal that leaves the Big 12 on life support. Sam Negus, National Review, 28 Aug. 2021 Queued up in a nearby stairwell, waiting to emerge, were several of the couple's close friends and Hoover's family members, many of whom had traveled to Nashville just to celebrate the couple's betrothal. Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE.com, 25 May 2021 And there is a logic to them: Women are not the only people who get engaged, so why should the be the only ones who get to wear diamond rings as tokens of their betrothal? Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 May 2021 Rumors started swirling about a possible betrothal after Addison shared a picture rocking what is undeniably an engagement ring on that finger. Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 15 Jan. 2021 See More
Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 Soprano Ashley Fabian made a fetching Ginevra, portraying in full voice the excitement and joy of her betrothal, and later the confusion and horror of her mad scene. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 The betrothal is framed as a triumph of her and Tony’s commitment, which survived the fights that Caldwell engineered while suffering from PMDD. Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022 To further stabilize the new Union’s position in Europe, Margrete has negotiated the betrothal of Erik to Philippa, the 13-year-old daughter of the King of England. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Dec. 2021 Thus, last month, the SEC and Texas and Oklahoma Universities stunned the college-sports world by announcing a betrothal that leaves the Big 12 on life support. Sam Negus, National Review, 28 Aug. 2021 Queued up in a nearby stairwell, waiting to emerge, were several of the couple's close friends and Hoover's family members, many of whom had traveled to Nashville just to celebrate the couple's betrothal. Nancy Kruh, PEOPLE.com, 25 May 2021 And there is a logic to them: Women are not the only people who get engaged, so why should the be the only ones who get to wear diamond rings as tokens of their betrothal? Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 May 2021 Rumors started swirling about a possible betrothal after Addison shared a picture rocking what is undeniably an engagement ring on that finger. Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 15 Jan. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
betroth + -al entry 2
First Known Use
1683, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
betrothal
noun
be·troth·al bi-ˈtrō-t͟həl
-ˈtrȯ-
: an engagement to be married
betrothal
noun
as in engagement
the act or state of being engaged to be married the couple's betrothal lasted four years Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- engagement
- espousal
- troth
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disengagement