courtship

Word parts

court + -ship

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈkɔːt.ʃɪp/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈkɔrt.ʃɪp/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: court‧ship

Noun

Singular courtship

Plural courtships

1. (countable & uncountable) Courtship is the period leading up to mating or marriage. The term can be applied to humans and animals.

   After a long courtship they got married.

   Courtship display is a set of behaviours leading up to mating in birds.