Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. It is nearly a cultural universal, but the definition of marriage varies between cultures and religions, and over time. Marriage becomes a social construct to adjudicate the conflicts of interest between consenting individuals and a transactional means to fulfill their needs. Typically, it is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing sexual activity. A marriage ceremony is called a wedding, while a private marriage is sometimes called an elopement.

"विवाह" हे एक पुरुष व स्त्री अश्या दोन व्यक्तीमधील सामाजिक बंधन आहे. हिंदू धर्मीयांत हा संस्कार आहे, तर अन्य धर्मीयांत हा कायदेशीर करार असतो. विवाह हा संतती किवा वंश पुढे नेण्यासाठीचा कायदेशीर व सामाजिक मार्ग आहे. विवाह संस्था ही संस्कृतीस आणि उपसंस्कृतीस अनुलक्षून विविध पद्धतींनी पतिपत्नींमधले जवळकीचे आणि लैंगिक नाते मान्य करते. विवाहामुळे दोन व्यक्तींचे नव्हे तर दोन कुटुंबे आणि त्यांचे नातेवाईक नात्याने जोडले जातात. या नात्यास लग्नगाठ म्हणतात. लग्न हे पवित्र बंधन आहे.