bigamy

play

noun big·a·my \ ˈbi-gə-mē \

Definition of bigamy

law :the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another

was accused of bigamy

—

bigamist

play \-mist\ noun

See bigamy defined for English-language learners

See bigamy defined for kids

Examples of bigamy in a Sentence

He was accused of bigamy.

Recent Examples of bigamy from the Web

As part of the agreement, prosecutors dismissed two counts of violating bail bond conditions, one felony count of bigamy and a second offense of unauthorized practice of massage therapy, court records show.

— amelia arvesen, The Denver Post, "Longmont’s “topless barber” pleads guilty to misdemeanors in new cases," 24 May 2017
Others accused Jackson of adultery and his wife, Rachel, of bigamy.

— louisa thomas, The New Yorker, "Watching Andrew Jackson’s Inauguration," 19 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bigamy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bigamy

Middle English bigamie, from Medieval Latin bigamia, from Latin bi- + Late Latin -gamia -gamy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

BIGAMY Defined for English Language Learners

bigamy

play

noun

Definition of bigamy for English Language Learners

: the crime of marrying one person while you are still legally married to another

Law Dictionary

bigamy

play

noun big·a·my \ ˈbi-gə-mē \

legal Definition of bigamy

:the crime of marrying someone while still legally married to someone else — compare polygamy

—

bigamist

play \-mist\ noun

Origin and Etymology of bigamy

Medieval Latin bigamia, ultimately from Latin bi- two + Greek gamos marriage

Learn More about bigamy

See words that rhyme with bigamy Spanish Central: Translation of bigamy Nglish: Translation of bigamy for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bigamy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

bigamy

Definition of bigamy

bigamist

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of bigamy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bigamy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bigamy

Other Legal Terms

BIGAMY Defined for English Language Learners

bigamy

Definition of bigamy for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

bigamy

legal Definition of bigamy

bigamist

Origin and Etymology of bigamy

Learn More about bigamy

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066