exogamy

noun

ex·​og·​a·​my ek-ˈsä-gə-mē 

plural exogamies

: marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law

exogamous

ek-ˈsä-gə-məs 

adjective

or exogamic

ˌek-sə-ˈga-mik 

Did you know?

Marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law is exogamy. Exogamous groups sometimes even specify the group into which members must marry. Such groups are usually defined in terms of kinship rather than in terms of politics or territory. Exogamy is usually characteristic of groups that trace descent through either the maternal or paternal line only.

Examples of exogamy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers believe their findings reinforce that women marrying outside their community, called female exogamy, was associated with Bronze Age societies. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 29 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

exogamy

noun

ex·​og·​a·​my ek-ˈsäg-ə-mē 

plural exogamies

1

: marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law

2

: sexual reproduction between individuals (as of a particular species) that are not closely related

exogamous

ek-ˈsäg-ə-məs 

adjective

or exogamic

ˌek-sə-ˈgam-ik