Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense cohabits, present participle cohabiting, past tense, past participle cohabited
verb
If two people are cohabiting, they are living together and have a sexual relationship, but are not married.
[formal]
In Italy people hardly ever cohabit. [VERB]
...a study of 616 adults who have cohabited with a partner during the past ten years. [VERB + with]
The number of couples who cohabit is rising dramatically. [VERB]
cohabitation (koʊhæbɪteɪʃən)uncountable noun
The decline in marriage has been offset by a rise in cohabitation.
cohabit in British English
(kəʊˈhæbɪt)
verb
(intransitive)
to live together in a conjugal relationship, esp without being married
Derived forms
cohabitee (ˌcohabiˈtee) or cohabitant (coˈhabitant) or cohabiter (coˈhabiter) or cohabitor (coˈhabitor)
noun
Word origin
C16: via Late Latin, from Latin co- together + habitāre to live
cohabit in American English
(kouˈhæbɪt)
intransitive verb
1.
to live together as a couple, usually without legal or religious sanction
2.
to live together in an intimate relationship
3.
to dwell with another or share the same place, as different species of animals
Derived forms
cohabitant or cohabiter
noun
cohabitation
noun
Word origin
[1520–30; ‹ LL cohabitāre, equiv. to co-co- + habitāre to have possession, abide (freq. of habēre to have, own)]
Examples of 'cohabit' in a sentence
cohabit
Plans to give two million cohabiting partners similar rights to married couples have been shelved by ministers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He knows that offering a tax allowance to married couples but not cohabiting partners risks being divisive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Family campaigners said they were disappointed that the public thought cohabiting and marriage were the same.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The average length of a cohabiting union is two years.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This case highlights how few rights cohabiting couples have.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Married and cohabiting couples were also found to be happier than those who were divorced or widowed.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Is it time to give cohabiting couples stronger legal rights?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But this is a timely warning for cohabiting couples who may be considering such a trust.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Married parents could be outnumbered by single parents and cohabiting couples within a generation if current trends continue.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
More parents are cohabiting rather than marrying, and cohabiting parents are more likely to split up.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is a wake-up call for all cohabiting couples.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It found that three-quarters of cohabiting couples want to tie the knot.
The Sun (2009)
Having one lodger is one thing; discovering that they are cohabiting with their partner under your roof may be quite another.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In a similar case involving a cohabiting couple in 2007 it was accepted that deceit was involved but the outcome of the case not made public.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Marriage may not be always be fashionable, yet empirical evidence shows that couples who marry are more likely to enjoy durable relationships than cohabiting couples.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Single people, cohabiting couples, people with grown up families were all seen as potentially offering the skills and knowledge required.
Martin, April The Guide to Lesbian and Gay Parenting (1993)
Resolution, a group of leading family lawyers, criticised the move and predicted continued distress and hardship for cohabiting couples if their relationship ends.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In some cases, minority couples are cohabiting rather than marrying because they are worried about the economic prospects of one of the partners, usually the guy.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
cohabit
British English: cohabit VERB
If two people are cohabiting, they are living together and having a sexual relationship, but are not married.
About one-third of all people cohabit at some time in their lives.