Civil Union Definition

noun

A legally sanctioned relationship between two people, especially of the same sex, having many of the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

American Heritage

A legally recognized marriage-like union of same-sex partners.

Webster's New World

A relationship between cohabitating members of the same sex, legally recognized in some states, that conveys to the couple some or all attributes, benefits, and rights of marriage for purposes of that state’s law, but not for purposes of other states’ laws or federal law. See also cohabitation and marriage.

Webster's New World Law

A legal union similar to marriage, established to allow same-sex couples (and, in some jurisdictions, opposite-sex couples) rights similar to those married couples have.

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