The definition of marriage varies widely by culture, region and jurisdiction.
The stimulus for differentiating married and non-married individuals is sometimes based upon how the companions refer to themselves.[1] In the English language, terms used may be husband or wife or a gender-neutral term such as spouse.[2] In third person, demographics of married people may be referred to by terms such as wedders,[3] as well as by more obscure and nonstandard terms such as wedlockers[4] and gamists.[5]
When there are social contentions regarding the definition of marriage a concerted effort to delineate the definition may occur.[6] For example, in response to movements in favor of same-sex marriage, Robert H. Knight wrote:
There may also be a distinction between a formal and an informal marriage.[8] The latter may incur various socioeconomic factors such as custody rights, pension rights, spousal support and distribution of property while the former may not.[9] A prevailing theme within definitions of marriage tends to be that it is at one's discretion, and that unlike wedleases, it is meant to be enduring and lasting.[10]