Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: Espouse

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski (for Merriam-Webster)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the word "espouse"—its definition, origins, history, and modern usage. Peter Sokolowski guides listeners through the evolution of the word, tying it to both its linguistic and cultural contexts, and illustrates its use with a contemporary example.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Definition and Usage

  • Espouse is pronounced and spelled E-S-P-O-U-S-E.
  • It is a verb meaning: "to take up and support as a cause"—most often referring to ideologies or beliefs.
  • The word is predominantly found in formal speech and writing.

• Contemporary Example

  • The host provides a vivid sentence showing real-world usage:

    “Lennon's celebrity secured the duo a large platform to espouse these ideas.”
    (from Pitchfork, describing John Lennon and Yoko Ono's activism in Greenwich Village)
    [00:58]

• Etymology and Historical Meaning

  • Espouse and spouse share etymological roots in the Latin "spondere," meaning “to promise” or “to betroth.”
  • Historically, espouse was both a noun and a verb, linked directly to marriage (betrothed partner or to marry).

    “As you might guess, the words espouse and spouse are hitched, both coming from the Latin verb spondere, meaning to promise, betroth.”
    [01:13]

  • Over time, the noun "espouse" faded from English, and its verb usage shifted exclusively to the figurative sense of adopting and supporting a cause.

• Modern Context

  • Today, "espouse" is almost always used to mean committing to and supporting a belief or cause—not for marriage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Formal Usage:

  “Espouse is usually encountered in formal speech and writing.”
  [00:49]

• On the Connection to Marriage:

  “The words espouse and spouse are hitched, both coming from the Latin verb spondere, meaning to promise, betroth... Their semantic separation began when the noun espouse fell out of use.”
  [01:13]

• On Contemporary Meaning:

  “Nowadays, espouse is almost exclusively encountered as a verb, used in the figuratively extended sense—to commit to and support as a cause.”
  [01:41]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:42] — Introduction to the word "espouse," its spelling, and verbal form
• [00:58] — Usage in context: John Lennon and Yoko Ono Pitchfork example
• [01:13] — Origin story: Connection between “espouse” and “spouse”
• [01:41] — Modern usage: “Espouse” as commitment to a cause today

Language & Tone

The host maintains a scholarly yet accessible tone, breaking down etymology and usage in a concise, clear manner that matches the podcast’s educational intent.