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

During a conversation with her now husband, David Woolley, on the April 27 episode of Sister Wives, the TLC star, 53, recalled the unique way the polygamous family would celebrate Valentine’s Day. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Jones is reportedly in a polygamous relationship with Johnston, Cessna and Austin Bradshaw, while also married to Esqueda, according to the Kansas City Star. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Ne-Yo first confirmed his polygamous lifestyle last year in a candid sit-down on Lemon Drop with Karleen Roy. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 11 Feb. 2025

His only remaining wife from the original polygamous union is Robyn Brown. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 31 Jan. 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