1. the practice of living together as partners without being legally married
Usage: formal; historical
2. a relationship in which a woman lives with a man as his secondary wife or mistress
Usage: historical; refers to traditional practices in some cultures

Examples

• Concubinage was a recognized social arrangement in ancient Rome.
• The law distinguished between marriage and concubinage in medieval Europe.
• Historical records show that concubinage was practiced in various cultures.
• The emperor maintained several relationships through concubinage.
• Legal scholars studied the rights of children born from concubinage.
• Traditional Chinese society had formal rules governing concubinage.