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

Elephant seals are polygamous and have harems, and the strongest male seals can breed with dozens, or up to 100, female seals. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

One TikToker talks about being raised in a polygamous family. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 July 2026

The influence of the polygamous sect has waned significantly over time in the towns where the sect has historically been based. — Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026

He is still baffled by the polygamous, fickle nature of American sports fandom. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 11 May 2026

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