wedding ring

• wedding-ring

From Middle English wedding ring, wedding ryng, weddynge rynge, weddyng ryng.

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wedding ring (plural wedding rings)

1. (jewelry) One of a pair or rings exchanged by spouses in a wedding ceremony, and afterwards worn by them, symbolizing continuous fidelity.
   • 1837 February, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Treats of the Place Where Oliver Twist Was Born, and of the Circumstances Attending His Birth”, in Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], published 1838, →OCLC, page 6:

     The surgeon leant over the body, and raised the left hand. "The old story," he said, shaking his head: "no wedding-ring, I see. Ah! good night!"

   • 1947, Willard Robison, “Don't Smoke in Bed”, performed by Peggy Lee:

     Goodbye, old sleepyhead / I'm packing you in like I said / Take care of everything / I'm leaving my wedding ring

   • 2007, “The Bad Thing”, Alex Turner (lyrics), performed by Arctic Monkeys:

     Do the bad thing / Take off your wedding ring / But it won't make it that much easier / It might make it worse

• wedding band

• engagement ring
• commitment ring