wedding ring

This term refers specifically to the jewelry exchanged during a marriage ceremony. While often used interchangeably with engagement ring in casual conversation, a wedding ring is traditionally the band placed on the finger during the actual wedding vows, whereas an engagement ring is given during the proposal.

In many Western cultures, the ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, based on the ancient belief in the vena amoris, or vein of love, which was thought to lead directly to the heart.