| civil union n. A legal union of a same-sex couple, sanctioned by a civil authority. |
| Main Entry: | civil union |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a legally recognized and voluntary union of adult parties of the same sex |
| Example: | Parties to a civil union have all the same protections, responsibilities, and rights as partners in marriage. |
| Main Entry: | civil union |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | See civil partnership |
civil union
legal recognition of the committed, marriagelike partnership of two individuals. Typically, the civil registration of their commitment provides the couple with legal benefits that approach or are equivalent to those of marriage, such as rights of inheritance, hospital visitation, medical decision making, differential taxation, adoption and artificial insemination, and employee benefits for partners and dependents
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