1. a public announcement in church of an intended marriage
Usage: usually plural; formal/religious context

Examples

• The banns were read in church for three consecutive Sundays.
• They had to publish the banns before their wedding ceremony.
• The priest announced the banns during the morning service.
• Reading the banns is a traditional requirement in many churches.
• The couple’s banns were posted on the church notice board.
• After the banns were called, anyone could object to the marriage.