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 • Apr. 24, 2024

For under the conventions is a shrewd stockbreeder's intuition that blood lines are strengthened by a little exogamy.

From Time Magazine Archive

The opposite of exogamy is endogamy, or prohibition of marriage outside the tribe.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various

Totemistic: clan, 95. community of brothers, 112. exogamy, 122.

From Group Psychology and The Analysis of The Ego by Freud, Sigmund

Morgan has intended, apparently, to represent the Punaluan marriage as a long transition to the definite custom of exogamy, but it will be seen that his language is not very clear nor his positions assured.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various