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

Raised by a single mother in Lagos, Nigeria, who had 44+ siblings (Williams-Olley’s grandfather was polygamous), she was always surrounded by a lot of love–and a lot of cousins. —Jack McCullough, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Kody Brown is adjusting a new normal following the end of his polygamous arrangement with Meri Brown, Christine Brown and Janelle Brown. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024

Yes, but: Critics say Latter-day Saints in the media are inaccurately portrayed as polygamous, religious extremists or upstanding citizens. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024

He was left with an aunt, who was one of five wives in a polygamous family that included about three dozen children. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024

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