polygamy

Meaning

Noun

• The condition of having more than one spouse or marriage partner at one time.
• Synonym of polygyny
• The state or habit of having more than one sexual mate.
• The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Related

Opposite words

• monogamy

Narrower meaning words

• polygyny
• polyandry

Origin

• Recorded since 1591, from Late Latin polygamia, from Ancient Greek πολυγαμία, itself from πολύγαμος, from πολύς + γάμος. Relates to modern prefix and suffix poly- + -gamy.