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

The court said Mr Chey had not shown "any signs of remorse for his foul behaviour in the course of the trial... nor respect for monogamy" and said the new settlement took into account Ms Roh's suffering over her ex-husband's extramarital affair.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

The newly found adrenal cells promote parenting behavior typical of monogamy, the researchers noted.

From Science Daily

There is, in fact, a fairly rigorous body of research that offers insight into the ways people live and love outside monogamy, research that can help ground the cultural conversation in empirical reality rather than leave it to freewheeling expressions of preference or moralizing opinion.

From Slate

Related Words

• abstinence
• decency
• virginity