exogamy

American  

[ek-sog-uh-mee] / ɛkˈsɒg ə mi /

noun

1. marriage outside a specific tribe or similar social unit.

2. Biology. the union of gametes of unrelated parents.

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exogamy British  

/ ˌɛksəʊˈɡæmɪk, ɛkˈsɒɡəmɪ, ɛkˈsɒɡəməs /

noun

1. sociol anthropol the custom or an act of marrying a person belonging to another tribe, clan, or similar social unit Compare endogamy

2. biology fusion of gametes from parents that are not closely related

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• exogamic
  adjective
• exogamous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of exogamy

First recorded in 1860–65; exo- + -gamy

Compare meaning

How does exogamy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endogamy vs. exogamy