monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnä-gə-mē 

1

a

: the state or practice of having only one sexual partner at a time

young couples who practice monogamy

b

: the state or custom of being married to only one person at a time

c

zoology : the condition or practice of having a single mate during a period of time

Monogamy is common among birds.

2

archaic : the practice of marrying only once during a lifetime

Examples of monogamy in a Sentence

young couples who practice monogamy

Monogamy is common among birds.

Recent Examples on the Web

Commitment, monogamy and trust have often been framed as mechanisms to preserve sameness and predictability — promising a kind of order that keeps chaos at bay. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025

Global monogamy is overrated, and there’s something to be said for dating around. —Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025

By 1982, schools in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio had challenged the book for not promoting abstinence or monogamy. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 8 May 2025

Aging, parenting adult children, long-term monogamy and stresses on old friendships are examined over lengthy dinner-table scenes. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French monogamie, from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek, from monogamos monogamous, from mon- + gamos marriage, from gamein to marry

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for monogamy

• exogamy

Kids Definition

monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnäg-ə-mē 

: marriage with only one person at a time

monogamous

-məs 

adjective

Medical Definition

monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my -mē 

plural monogamies

: the state or custom of being married to one person at a time or of having only one mate at a time

monogamous

mə-ˈnäg-ə-məs 

adjective

also monogamic

ˌmän-ə-ˈgam-ik