polygynous

[ puh-lij-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polygyny.
2. Botany. having many pistils or styles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygynous¹

First recorded in 1840–50; polygyn(y) + -ous

Example Sentences

Darras notes that yellow crazy ants are polygynous, meaning they have multiple queens — in some cases their reproductive capabilities are essentially limitless.

From Salon

But when the team looked at the impact of STIs on larger polygynous societies, they found a very different effect.

From The Guardian

In polygynous species, by contrast, males may be less choosy about their mates, Dale suggests, so that there is little benefit to females displaying a colourful plumage that is energetically costly for them to maintain.

From Nature

But males in many polygynous species basically take whatever they can get, Kempenaers says.

From Science Magazine

Polygamous societies are almost always polygynous, where one husband has multiple wives.

From Salon