A honeymoon is the traditional trip taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage with seclusion and sexual intimacy. Today, honeymoons are often celebrated in places that are secluded, exotic or otherwise considered special and romantic. A recent trend among couples is to combine the wedding and honeymoon into one experience or substitute one for another.

The Oxford English Dictionary offers no etymology at all, but dates the word back to the 16th century:

“The first month after marriage, when there is nothing but tenderness and pleasure" (Samuel Johnson); originally having no reference to the period of a month, but comparing the mutual affection of newly-married persons to the changing moon which is no sooner full than it begins to wane; now, usually, the holiday spent together by a newly-married couple, before settling down at home.