1. the act of running away to get married, typically without parental consent or knowledge
2. the act of running away or escaping, especially from a place or situation
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The couple's elopement shocked their families, who had planned an elaborate wedding.
• They decided on elopement rather than deal with months of wedding planning.
• The elopement took place in Las Vegas over a long weekend.
• Her parents were upset about the elopement but eventually came around.
• The young lovers' elopement became the talk of the small town.
• After years of dating, they finally announced their elopement to close friends.