Definition of marriage: (Various web sources)

 The Bible Defines Marriage as a Covenant God sketched his

original plan for marriage in Genesis 2:24 when one man (Adam)
and one woman (Eve) united together to become one flesh:

 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast
to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 

 The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners

in a personal relationship (historically and in some jurisdictions
specifically a union between a man and a woman.

 A formal union and social and legal contract between two

individuals that unites their lives legally, economically, and
emotionally. ... Being married also gives legitimacy to sexual
relations within the marriage.

 (broadly) any of the diverse forms of interpersonal union

established in various parts of the world to form a familial bond
that is recognized legally, religiously, or socially, granting the
participating partners mutual conjugal rights and responsibilities
and including, for example, opposite-sex marriage, same-sex
marriage, plural marriage, and arranged marriage:

 Anthropologists say that some type of marriage has been found in

every known human society since ancient times Dictionary.com

 Also called opposite-sex marriage . the form of this institution

under which a man and a woman have established their decision to
 live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious
ceremonies, etc.

 This institution expanded to include two partners of the same

gender, as in same-sex marriage; gay marriage.

 The definition of marriage most often quoted in legal textbooks

and cases dates from 1866: according to Hyde v Hyde and
Woodman see [1866], marriage is “the voluntary union for life of
one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others”.

 The legal union of a couple as spouses. The basic elements of a

marriage are: (1) the parties' legal ability to marry each other, (2)
mutual consent of the parties, and (3) a marriage contract as
required by law. Legal definition.

 Sociologists define marriage as a socially supported union

involving two or more individuals in what is regarded as a
stable, enduring arrangement typically based at least in part on a
sexual bond of some kind.

 Marriage is considered by sociologists to be a cultural universal;

that is, it exists in some form in all societies.

 Marriage serves important social functions, and social norms often

determine the role each spouse takes in a marriage.

 Because marriage is a social construct, cultural norms and

expectations determine what a marriage is and who can marry.
What is Marriage in Sociology?
Marriage is one of the universal social institutions established to control
and regulate the life of mankind. It is closely associated with the
institution of family. In fact both the institutions are complementary to
each other.
It is an institution with different implications in different cultures. Its
purposes, functions and forms may differ from society to society but it is
present everywhere as an institution.

Definition of Marriage by Authors

 Westermarck in 'History of Human marriage' defines marriage as
the more or less durable connection between male and female
lasting beyond the mere act of propagation till after the birth of
offspring.

 According to Malinowski marriage is a contract for the production

and maintenance of children. 

 Robert Lowie describes marriage as a relatively permanent bond

between permissible mates.

 For Horton and Hunt marriage is the approved social pattern

whereby two or more persons establish a family.

Hindu Marriage

 Hindu marriage is “a religious sacrament in which a man and a

woman are bound in a permanent relationship for the physical,
social and spiritual need of dharma, procreation and sexual
pleasure.” ... It is a religious and holy union of the bride and
groom which is necessary to be performed by religious ceremonies
and rites
  The Hindu community has been giving great importance for
marriage since time immemorial. There are different forms of
marriage –

 Brahma Vivaha is where a father marries his daughter to a

learned man of good moral character.
 Asura Vivaha is marriage by paying bride price.
 Rakshasa Vivaha is by capture or abduction without
obtaining the consent of a girl or her parents.

 Gandharva Vivaha is based on mutual love.

 Prajapatya Vivaha is where no ceremony is performed but

the groom is honored.

Muslim law:
Marriage under Islam is a matrimonial relation and an institution
which legalizes the sexual activities between a male and female for
the object of procreation of kids, promotion of love, mutual support
and creation of families which are considered an essential unit in a
society.
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