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 Earned income to qualify for the credit does not include pensions, money made working as an inmate in a jail or prison, Social Security income, unemployment benefits, alimony, child support, and interest and dividends. Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024 After she was charged in 2018, Bigazzi's ex-wife, Anna Bigazzi, told CBS affiliate WFSB that police have requested copies of her back alimony checks, suspecting the signatures may have been forged. CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Williams and Hunter agreed to forgo alimony and sell their New Jersey home and share those proceeds. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024 Working with an attorney will clarify whether you may be entitled to or required to provide alimony. Larry Light, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Morris will also pay Hurd $2,100 a month in child support, according to the agreement, and neither will receive alimony from the other, an agreement set in their prenup. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024 If there are children, child support and alimony may play a significant role in budgeting. Larry Light, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 The alimony payments created financial stress for the Grammy award-winning artist. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 Jan. 2024 Engage your tax advisor to assess the tax consequences of asset division, alimony and child support. Larry Light, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alimony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 Mar. 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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