monogamy

[ muh-nog-uh-mee ]

noun

1. marriage with only one person at a time.
2. Zoology. the practice of having only one mate.
3. the practice of marrying only once during life.

monogamy

/ mɒˈnɒɡəmɪ /

noun

1. the state or practice of having only one husband or wife over a period of time Compare bigamy polygamy digamy
2. zoology the practice of having only one mate

monogamy

1. A form of marriage in which one man is united with one woman. ( Compare polyandry and polygamy .)

Derived Forms

• moˈnogamously, adverb
• moˈnogamous, adjective
• moˈnogamousness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monogamy¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek monogamía, equivalent to mono- + -gamy

Word History and Origins

Origin of monogamy¹

C17: via French from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek; see mono- + -gamy

Example Sentences

One argument suggests that monogamy can increase the chances that parents will cooperate to care for their offspring, since fathers are more confident the young are theirs.

From Science Daily

Clark, who met Haddish when they were bused to El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, isn’t buying this supposed stance on monogamy.

From Los Angeles Times

But even with all that adulting, cooking, monogamy and poetry, the dude still couldn’t promise forever.

From Los Angeles Times

However, pair-living among early primates did not equate to sexual monogamy or cooperative infant care, he adds.

From Science Daily

“I’m not a monogamy kind of person,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstinence
• decency
• virginity

About This Word

What does monogamy mean?

Monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time.

The word monogamy is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life.

In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate.

A person or animal that engages in monogamy can be described as monogamous. A person who practices or advocates for monogamy can be called a monogamist.

Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but this hasn’t always been the case in cultures around the world.

Where does monogamy come from?

The first records of the word monogamy come from the early 1600s. It comes from the Greek monogamía, from mono-, meaning “single” or “one,” and -gamy, meaning “marriage.” The same root is used in the words bigamy (referring to the practice of being married to two people) and polygamy (referring to the practice of being married to more than one person at a time).

Though it has traditionally been associated with marriage, the term monogamy today commonly refers to the state of only dating or being in a sexual relationship with one person at a time. While monogamy is often seen as a traditional norm of human relationships, especially in Western cultures, not everyone shares this view. The phrase serial monogamy refers to the practice of being married several times in succession, or, more popularly, going from one monogamous, long-term relationship to another. A person who does this is sometimes called a serial monogamist. Such terms are often used in a critical way that’s perhaps intended to suggest that monogamy is unnatural or unlikely to lead to fulfillment.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to monogamy?

• monogamous (adjective)
• monogamist (noun)
• monogamic (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with monogamy? 

• serial monogamy
• bigamy
• polygamy
• digamy
• deuterogamy

What are some words that often get used in discussing monogamy?

• marriage
• spouse
• partner
• husband
• wife
• relationship
• exclusive
• traditional

How is monogamy used in real life?

Monogamy is perhaps most popularly used to refer to the practice of having a sexual relationship with only one person at a time.

Most of my exes have found their significant other almost immediately after dating me. I am like the layover on the way to monogamy, the brief Icelandic stopover on the way home from your wild vacation. I am the Reykjavik of relationships.

— Elise Bauman (@baumanelise) December 20, 2019

Monogamy is okay but so is polygamy. Dating a lot of people at once is okay, dating one person at a time is okay. Different people have different preferences y’all be so pressed to shame people for they dating preferences.

— zah zah (@lustclouds) December 26, 2019

The project will re-examine the original series' depiction of love, hatred, desire, monogamy, marriage and divorce through the lens of a contemporary American couple played by #OscarIsaac and #MichelleWilliams https://t.co/LYQdePDVK2

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 9, 2020