monogamy

noun

mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnä-gə-mē How to pronounce monogamy (audio)
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
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.
These agreements, which spell out what is (and isn’t) permitted within a couple’s version of monogamy, can actually help shape their definition of monogamy while also building trust and safety. Myisha Battle, Time, 19 May 2025 This type of monogamy is rare in amphibians and was only first discovered 15 years ago in another dart frog species. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 14 May 2025 But just as monogamy’s definition has changed and means different things to different people, the same is true for infidelity. Myisha Battle, Time, 19 May 2025 Following his 2023 divorce from Crystal Renay, Ne-Yo has publicly embraced a new chapter, one in which monogamy no longer plays a role. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for monogamy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of monogamy was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monogamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monogamy. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

monogamy

noun
mo·​nog·​a·​my mə-ˈnäg-ə-mē How to pronounce monogamy (audio)
: marriage with only one person at a time
monogamous adjective

Medical Definition

monogamy

noun
mo·​nog·​a·​my -mē How to pronounce monogamy (audio)
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 adjective
also monogamic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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