monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnä-gə-mē 

1

a

: the state or practice of having only one sexual partner at a time

young couples who practice monogamy

b

: the state or custom of being married to only one person at a time

c

zoology : the condition or practice of having a single mate during a period of time

Monogamy is common among birds.

2

archaic : the practice of marrying only once during a lifetime

Examples of monogamy in a Sentence

young couples who practice monogamy

Monogamy is common among birds.

Recent Examples on the Web

People are now more interested in open relationships, polyamorous relationships, and trying out things that work for them, and also the differences between what monogamy means. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

Despite my cries, everyone stays committed to traditional monogamy. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024

Vasopressin complements oxytocin by encouraging monogamy, loyalty and protective behaviors, supporting long-term attachment. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Interestingly, Carter notes that several men in the study firmly believed that humans are not biologically built for monogamy—suggesting that their infidelity was a natural and inevitable expression of human nature. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French monogamie, from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek, from monogamos monogamous, from mon- + gamos marriage, from gamein to marry

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnäg-ə-mē 

: marriage with only one person at a time

monogamous

-məs 

adjective

Medical Definition

monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my -mē 

plural monogamies

: the state or custom of being married to one person at a time or of having only one mate at a time

monogamous

mə-ˈnäg-ə-məs 

adjective

also monogamic

ˌmän-ə-ˈgam-ik