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

Bateman and his followers believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024

Hulu 38 of 80 Big Love, Season 3 As with any of the five seasons of HBO's polygamy drama, so much happens in season 3. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 8 Jan. 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