polygamy
n. uncountablen. the practice of being married to more than one person at the same time. In nature, it also describes animals that have more than one mate.
n. the practice or custom of having more than one spouse or mate simultaneously. In biological contexts, it refers to a mating system where an individual has multiple partners during a single breeding season.
Some ancient cultures practiced polygamy for many centuries.
While most modern legal systems prohibit polygamy, it remains a recognized social structure in several specific regions and religious communities.
In evolutionary biology, polygamy is often analyzed through the lens of reproductive success, as it can increase the genetic diversity of offspring within a specific population or social group.
Recorded since 1591, from Late Latin polygamia, from Ancient Greek πολυγαμία (polugamía), itself from πολύγαμος (polúgamos, “married to many”), from πολύς (polús, “many”) + γάμος (gámos, “marriage”). Relates to modern prefix and suffix poly- + -gamy.
Uncountable when referring to the general practice; occasionally countable when discussing specific instances or types of such systems.