monogamy

American  

[muh-nog-uh-mee] / məˈnɒg ə mi /

noun

1. marriage with only one person at a time.

2. Zoology. the practice of having only one mate.

3. the practice of marrying only once during life.

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monogamy British  

/ mɒˈnɒɡəmɪ /

noun

1. the state or practice of having only one husband or wife over a period of time Compare bigamy polygamy digamy

2. zoology the practice of having only one mate

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monogamy Cultural  

1. A form of marriage in which one man is united with one woman. (Compare polyandry and polygamy.)

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Usage

What does monogamy mean? Monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time. The word monogamy is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life. In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate. A person or animal that engages in monogamy can be described as monogamous. A person who practices or advocates for monogamy can be called a monogamist. Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but this hasn’t always been the case in cultures around the world.

Other Word Forms

• monogamous adjective
• monogamously adverb
• monogamousness noun

Etymology

Origin of monogamy

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek monogamía, equivalent to mono- + -gamy

Compare meaning

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

• monogamy vs. polyamory

Explanation

Monogamy is when you are married to, or in a sexual relationship with, one person at a time. Humans are one of the few species that practice monogamy. Well, sometimes. You may have heard of something called polygamy, which is having more than one spouse at a time. The difference between monogamy and its antonym, polygamy, lies in the prefixes. In Greek, poly means "multiple," while mono means just the opposite: "single." Therefore, if you are committed to one romantic partner at a time, you are in a monogamous relationship.

Example Sentences

"Instead, it's a strong indicator that monogamy had already evolved."

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

To estimate human monogamy levels, Dyble analyzed genetic evidence from archaeological sites, including Bronze Age burial grounds in Europe and Neolithic settlements in Anatolia.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

"Humans have a range of partnerships that create conditions for a mix of full and half-siblings with strong parental investment, from serial monogamy to stable polygamy."

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

"This study measures reproductive monogamy rather than sexual behavior. In most mammals, mating and reproduction are tightly linked. In humans, birth control methods and cultural practices break that link."

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

“My love, my one and only, precious, precious . . .” Mother, monogamy, romance.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• abstinence
• decency
• virginity