monogamy

American  

[muh-nog-uh-mee] / məˈnɒg ə mi /

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.

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monogamy British  

/ 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

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monogamy Cultural  

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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• monogamous adjective
• monogamously adverb
• monogamousness noun

Etymology

Origin of monogamy

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

Compare meaning

How does monogamy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• monogamy vs. polyamory

Explanation

Monogamy is when you are married to, or in a sexual relationship with, one person at a time. Humans are one of the few species that practice monogamy. Well, sometimes. You may have heard of something called polygamy, which is having more than one spouse at a time. The difference between monogamy and its antonym, polygamy, lies in the prefixes. In Greek, poly means "multiple," while mono means just the opposite: "single." Therefore, if you are committed to one romantic partner at a time, you are in a monogamous relationship.

Example Sentences

While some researchers have argued that high relatedness is not required, the new evidence suggests that monogamy and strong genetic ties were essential for termite societies.

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

When a termite king or queen dies, monogamy usually continues.

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

"This loss doesn't cause monogamy," Professor Lo said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2026

In both cases, the data point to a strong tendency toward monogamy alongside some flexibility.

From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026

Many scholars vehemently reject this theory, insisting that both monogamy and the forming of nuclear families are core human behaviours.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Related Words

• abstinence
• decency
• virginity