Consummate

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As a verb, consummate means to bring something to its completion, such as a transaction, concept, plan or action.

Marriages are said to be consummated when the act of sexual intercourse has taken place after the ceremony. In some theologies or societies, a marriage is not considered a binding contract until and unless it has been consummated. Within the Catholic Church, a marriage that has not yet been consummated, regardless of the reason for non-consummation, can be dissolved by the Pope (see also canons 1697-1706). Additionally, an inability or an intention to refuse to consummate the marriage is probable grounds for an annulment. Catholic canon law defines (canon 1061 §1) that a marriage has been consummated when the "spouses have performed between themselves in a human fashion a conjugal act which is suitable in itself for the procreation of offspring, to which marriage is ordered by its nature and by which the spouses become one flesh." Some theologians, such as Fr. John A. Hardon, argue that contraceptive intercourse does not consummate a marriage.

In the United States legal system, there have been Supreme Court rulings that a marriage could be declared null and void if it had not been consummated. ^{[citation needed]}

The adjective consummate describes something that is complete or a person that is supremely skilled.