polygamy

noun

Save Word

po·lyg·a·my | \ pə-ˈli-gə-mē

Definition of polygamy

1 : marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time — compare polyandry, polygyny

2 : the state of being polygamous

Other Words from polygamy Example Sentences Learn More About polygamy

Other Words from polygamy

polygamist \ pə-ˈli-gə-mist

\ noun

polygamize \ pə-ˈli-gə-ˌmīz

\ intransitive verb

Examples of polygamy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gill says that ice is even thicker in Utah, which was settled by LDS pioneers fleeing religious persecution back east, mainly for the practice of polygamy. — Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022 The traditional Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints banned polygamy in 1890. — David Kelly, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2022 The splinter sect of the Mormon church had been practicing polygamy in the American West for decades, often with underage brides, but under Warren's leadership, the FLDS Church became an even more sinister operation. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 7 June 2022 The brothers then joined the School of the Prophets movement, which practiced polygamy. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 14 May 2022 This became a central point of debate during the legislative hearings for SB102, a bill signed into law in 2020 that effectively decriminalized polygamy in Utah after years of debate. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Dec. 2021 His wife left him after refusing to practice polygamy. — Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 29 Apr. 2022 Andrew Garfield stars as a detective investigating a murder involving polygamy and the outskirts of Mormonism. — Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2022 In the mid-1800s, Mormons were expelled from Missouri and later their practice of polygamy was legally banned. — Michelle Boorstein, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Mar. 2022 See More

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