Polygamy - meaning and definition
Alsopolygynypolyandryplural marriagepolygamouspolygamistmultiple spouses
Definition
Marriage to more than one spouse at the same time, usually within a religious, cultural or legal tradition.
At a glance
- Marriage to more than one spouse at the same time.
- Historically the most common form is polygyny, one man with several wives.
- Polyandry, one woman with several husbands, is much rarer.
- It is legal in some countries and prohibited in many others.
- It differs from polyamory in being about marriage and often tied to religious or cultural rules.
In detail
Polygamy is an anthropological and legal term. Its most common form historically is polygyny, where one man has several wives; polyandry, where one woman has several husbands, is far rarer. Polygamy is legal in some countries and prohibited in many others.
Polygamy differs from modern polyamory in that it concerns marriage, is often structured around one central spouse, and is frequently tied to specific religious or cultural rules. Human rights bodies have raised concerns about the unequal forms it can take.
In a sentence
- The documentary looked at how polygamy is regulated in different countries.
- People sometimes confuse polyamory with polygamy, but one is about marriage law and tradition.
Where the word comes from
From the Greek polys (many) and gamos (marriage).
Not to be confused with
- Polyamory
Polyamory describes multiple consensual loving relationships and does not require marriage or fixed gender roles.
Common questions
Is polygamy the same as polyamory?
No. Polygamy is about marriage to several spouses, usually within a religious, cultural or legal tradition. Polyamory is about consensual loving relationships with more than one person and does not involve multiple marriages.
Where is polygamy legal?
Laws differ widely. Some countries recognise polygamous marriages, often only for men, while many others prohibit them. Laws can change, so official national sources are the best place to check.