polygamy

American  

[puh-lig-uh-mee] / pəˈlɪg ə mi /

noun

1. the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, especially wife, at one time.

2. Zoology. the habit or system of mating with more than one individual, either simultaneously or successively.

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polygamy British  

/ pəˈlɪɡəmɪ /

noun

1. the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time Compare polyandry polygyny

2. 1. the condition of having male, female, and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant

   2. the condition of having these different types of flower on separate plants of the same species

3. the practice in male animals of having more than one mate during one breeding season

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polygamy Cultural  

1. The practice of having several wives or husbands at the same time. (Compare monogamy.)

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Other Word Forms

• polygamist noun
• polygamous adjective
• polygamously adverb

Etymology

Origin of polygamy

From the Greek word polygamía, dating back to 1585–95. See poly-, -gamy

Compare meaning

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

• polygamy vs. polyamory
• bigamy vs. polygamy

Explanation

Polygamy is the practice of being married to more than one husband or wife at a time. Polygamy comes from the Late Greek word polygamos, meaning “often married.” While viewed as controversial in the Western world, polygamy is a custom that's been practiced by humans throughout history, and is still practiced in many places. It was a distinguishing characteristic of early Mormonism — founder Joseph Smith had more than 30 wives. In zoology, monogamy, or having only one mate, is rare, while polygamy, the mating habit of animals with numerous mates, is much more common.

Example Sentences

Overall, the differences were smallest in monogamous species, while polygamy and pronounced size differences were associated with a more pronounced advantage for females.

From Science Daily • Oct. 28, 2025

Prof Mazibuko explained that polygamy was not initially part of Zulu culture, in fact the first two kings were bachelors.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025

The DNA also revealed polygamy and “levirate unions,” in which closely related males—brothers, or a father and son—had children with the same woman.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 24, 2024

He and his followers practice polygamy, a legacy of the early teachings of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which abandoned the practice in 1890 and now strictly prohibits it.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2024

The church had ended the temporal practice of polygamy in 1890, but it had never recanted the doctrine.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover