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

• 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

Example Sentences

Communities were locally centred around a main patriline, were related to each other through the systematic practice of female exogamy.

From Science Daily

For a religion that does not accept converts and strongly discourages exogamy, the assimilation of Yazidi youth in Europe threatens the faith’s continued existence.

From The Guardian

Yet each family knew to what gens it belonged, observed its rites, and obeyed strictly the rule of exogamy.

From Project Gutenberg

The village as such possesses no permanent gennas, but the clans, as the units of marriage under the law of exogamy, have distinct elementary gennas, especially the clan to which the priest-chief belongs.

From Project Gutenberg

It may wander wherever merchants wander, wherever captives are dragged, wherever slaves are sold, wherever the custom of exogamy commands the choice of alien wives.

From Project Gutenberg