alimony

noun

al·​i·​mo·​ny ˈa-lə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce alimony (audio)
plural alimonies
1
: an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support pending or after legal separation or divorce
2
: the means of living : maintenance

Examples of alimony in a Sentence

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.
However, she may be better protected by not waiving alimony in the agreement. Christine Fletcher, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 The film tells the story of a lovable underachiever who hatches an outrageous scheme to avoid paying alimony to his fashion-executive ex-wife. Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024 When addressing alimony in a prenuptial agreement, many people will want to waive it, meaning neither spouse can get alimony from the other. Christine Fletcher, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 If anything, there are calls to roll back alimony even further. Alison Lefkovitz / Made By History, TIME, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for alimony 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin alimōnia, going back to Latin, "food, nourishment, nurture, upbringing," from alere "to nurse, supply with nutrition, support, maintain" + -mōnia, suffix of abstract nouns (going back to the Indo-European noun-forming suffix *-mĕ̄n-/*-mŏ̄n- + the abstract noun formative *-i-) — more at old entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alimony was circa 1613

Dictionary Entries Near alimony

Cite this Entry

“Alimony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alimony. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

alimony

noun
al·​i·​mo·​ny ˈal-ə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce alimony (audio)
: money paid to one spouse by the other for support during or after divorce or separation

Legal Definition

alimony

noun
al·​i·​mo·​ny ˈa-lə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce alimony (audio)
1
: an allowance made to one spouse by the other for support pending or after legal separation or divorce compare child support
alimony in gross
: lump sum alimony in this entry
alimony pendente lite \ -​pen-​ˈden-​tē-​ˈlī-​ˌtē, -​pen-​ˈden-​tā-​ˈlē-​tā \
: alimony granted pending a suit for divorce or separation that includes a reasonable allowance for the prosecution of the suit

called also temporary alimony

lump sum alimony
: alimony awarded after divorce that is a specific vested amount not subject to change

called also alimony in gross

permanent alimony
: alimony awarded after divorce which consists of payments at regular intervals that may change in amount or terminate (as upon the payee's remarriage)
temporary alimony
: alimony pendente lite in this entry
2
: means of living, support, or maintenance
fathers and mothers owe alimony to their illegitimate childrenLouisiana Civil Code
Etymology

Latin alimonia sustenance, from alere to nourish

More from Merriam-Webster on alimony

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