espousal
Espousal is the act of committing oneself to a person, cause, or belief. The term has three primary uses. In its traditional sense, espousal refers to a formal agreement to marry, historically understood as engagement. In the context of international law, espousal occurs when one sovereign, often through diplomatic channels, takes over claims of its nationals against another sovereign by acting on behalf of its citizens to settle the claims. In a broader sense, it means adopting, supporting, or advocating for a policy, theory, or set of beliefs. For example, a public figure may be renowned for their espousal of global education initiatives.
[Last reviewed in October of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Wex