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

Example Sentences

Some reports said they had converted to Islam, which allows polygamy, to marry - a claim Dharmendra later denied.

From BBC

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

While the couple are currently focused on their new life together, both are willing to embrace polygamy should the right opportunity present itself in the future.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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