polyandry

noun

poly·​an·​dry ˈpä-lē-ˌan-drē 

: the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time compare polygamy, polygyny

polyandrous

ˌpä-lē-ˈan-drəs 

adjective

Examples of polyandry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025

Seeking Brother Husband's Kenya gets real with a virtual stranger about her domestic arrangement in this Sunday's episode of the TLC polyandry series. — Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023

The new show will also feature a couple who is just beginning to explore polyandry. — Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2023

Among the four couples featured, each is at a different stage in their polyandry journey. — Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2023

The trailer sees the couple facing tough questions from their families over a meal after presumably sharing their interest in polyandry. — Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek polýandros "having many husbands" (from poly- poly- + -andros, adjective derivative of andr-, anḗr "man, husband") + -y entry 2 — more at andro-

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polyandry

• landry

Medical Definition

polyandry

noun

poly·​an·​dry ˈpäl-ē-ˌan-drē 

plural polyandries

: the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time compare polygamy, polygyny

polyandrous

ˌpäl-ē-ˈan-drəs 

adjective