monogamy
Americannoun
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marriage with only one person at a time.
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Zoology. the practice of having only one mate.
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the practice of marrying only once during life.
noun
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:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Experts have proposed various benefits to so-called social monogamy, where mates match up for at least a breeding season to care for their young and see off rivals.
From BBC
In a city where I once performed straightness and monogamy, I’m finally choosing what feels good — with her, her wife and the queer community that keeps unfolding around me.
From Los Angeles Times
Enveloped in the arms of the man I loved who valued monogamy and proudly introduced me as his girlfriend to every acquaintance, I felt an uneasiness.
From Los Angeles Times
A very different type of Tory, Norris advocated for gay rights and had a relaxed approach to monogamy.
From BBC
But the film doesn’t simply evaluate the constraints of monogamy — you’d rarely find a plot point so trite in a Soderbergh film.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
