courtship

noun

court·​ship ˈkȯrt-ˌship How to pronounce courtship (audio)
Synonyms of courtshipnext
: the act, process, or period of courting

Synonyms of courtship

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Examples of courtship in a Sentence

They had a two-year courtship before marrying. The male of the species often displays aggression during courtship. the President's courtship of middle-class voters
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Modern dating discourse has developed its own grand theories for why heterosexual courtship has felt so miserable. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 Heming Willis opened up about her courtship with the actor — currently living with frontotemporal dementia — during a new interview with Today alum Hoda Kotb. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 In the Industrial Age, young people began relocating to cities for work and enjoyed newfound independence and leisure time; courtship moved from the family parlor to the dance hall. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 Crickets and cockroaches have much smaller cerci used to sense vibrations in the air, but Stokes explained that earwigs use their cerci for defense, hunting, mating and courtship. — Hannah Smith july 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtship

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtship was in 1596

Rhymes for courtship

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Browse Nearby Words

courts baron
courtship
court shoe
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Cite this Entry

“Courtship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtship. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courtship

noun
court·​ship -ˌship How to pronounce courtship (audio)
: the act or process of courting

More from Merriam-Webster on courtship

Nglish: Translation of courtship for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about courtship

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