polygamous

adjective

po·​lyg·​a·​mous pə-ˈli-gə-məs 

1

a

: relating to or practicing polygamy

b

: having more than one mate at one time

baboons are polygamous

2

: bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant

Examples of polygamous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Skunks are polygamous, and male skunks travel up to 5 miles during mating season looking for love with as many potential mates as possible. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Harems also varied from family to family; while some arrangements were polygamous, other harems were merely private living spaces shared by a man’s female relatives. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

Are quantum particles polygamous? —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

Following years of ups and downs, the patriarch, 57, is sharing his intentions to take responsibility for his part in the downfall of the polygamous family. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin & Greek; Medieval Latin polygamus, borrowed from Greek polýgamos "married several times," from poly- poly- + -gamos -gamous

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

polygamous

adjective

po·​lyg·​a·​mous pə-ˈlig-ə-məs 

1

: of or relating to marriage in which a spouse has more than one mate at one time

2

: having more than one mate at one time

polygamist

-məst

noun

polygamy

-mē

noun

Medical Definition

polygamous

adjective

po·​lyg·​a·​mous pə-ˈlig-ə-məs 

1

: relating to or practicing polygamy

2

: having more than one mate at one time