monogamous

adjective

mo·​nog·​a·​mous mə-ˈnä-gə-məs How to pronounce monogamous (audio)
variants or less commonly monogamic
: relating to, characterized by, or practicing monogamy : having only one mate, spouse, or sexual partner at one time
… the beaver has several qualities that endear it to people: it is monogamous and lives in a family unit; it is gentle and clean; it is absolutely industrious.Doug Hand
But for women who are not at risk for STDs because they are in mutually monogamous relationships, modern IUDs can be safe and very effective.Kim Painter
There are many kinds of infidelity, but here we are talking about a sexual infidelity in monogamous marriage or a relationship that is tantamount to marriage.Frank Pittman
monogamously adverb
Pairs usually mate monogamously for life … Vincenzo Penteriani et al.

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What is the Difference Between monogamous and Polygamous?

American marriage is by law monogamous; people are permitted to have only one spouse at a time. There are cultures with laws that permit marriage to more than one person at a time, or polygamy. Although the term polygamy may refer to polyandry (marriage to more than one man), it is more often used as a synonym for polygyny (marriage to more than one woman), which appears to have once been common in most of the world and is still found widely in some cultures.

Examples of monogamous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There's so much involved in a monogamous relationship. Christian John Wikane, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025 Being part of a throuple is similar to a monogamous relationship, according to Amani, who identifies as bisexual. Abigail Adams, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 Amani, who identifies as bisexual, says that being a part of a throuple is similar to any other monogamous relationship. Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025 Vasopressin, on the other hand, is linked to behaviors that encourage long-term, monogamous relationships. Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monogamous

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monogamous was in 1770

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Cite this Entry

“Monogamous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monogamous. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

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