polygamy

noun

po·​lyg·​a·​my pə-ˈli-gə-mē 

1

: marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time compare polyandry, polygyny

2

: the state of being polygamous

polygamist

pə-ˈli-gə-mist 

noun

polygamize

pə-ˈli-gə-ˌmīz 

intransitive verb

Examples of polygamy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Libya, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, the leader of the National Transitional Council, ended a ban on polygamy in his maiden speech to the country. —Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2017

This act restored their civil rights and property, which had been taken away during the government’s efforts to eliminate polygamy in the Utah territory. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024

The last time Sarah saw her son was August 2020. MORE: Former FLDS members fear their children's disappearance is part of Warren Jeffs' prophecy The FLDS was founded more than 130 years ago after polygamy was outlawed in the Mormon Church. —Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2024

The pair attempt to adapt to life as a monogamous couple, leaving polygamy behind. —Selena Kuznikov, Variety, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin polygamia "frequent marriage," borrowed from Greek polygamía, from polýgamos "married several times, polygamous" + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

polygamy

noun

po·​lyg·​a·​my -mē 

plural polygamies

: marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time compare polyandry, polygyny

Legal Definition

polygamy

noun

po·​lyg·​a·​my pə-ˈli-gə-mē 

: the offense of having several and specifically more than two spouses at one time compare bigamy

polygamous

-məs 

adjective