polygyny Definition
- 1the practice or condition of having more than one wife at the same time
- 2a form of polygamy
Using polygyny: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "polygyny" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Polygyny is still practiced in some cultures around the world.
Example
In polygynous societies, men are allowed to have multiple wives.
Example
Polygyny is illegal in many countries.
Phrases with polygyny
Example
Sororal polygyny is common in some African cultures.
non-sororal polygyny
a type of polygyny in which a man marries unrelated women as his wives
Example
Non-sororal polygyny is more common than sororal polygyny.
the practice or condition of having more than one husband at the same time
Example
Polyandry is rare compared to polygyny.
Origins of polygyny
from Greek 'poly-' meaning 'many' and 'gyne' meaning 'woman'
Summary: polygyny in Brief
Polygyny [puh-lij-uh-nee] is a form of polygamy where a man has more than one wife at the same time. It is still practiced in some cultures around the world, although it is illegal in many countries. Sororal polygyny involves marrying sisters, while non-sororal polygyny involves marrying unrelated women. Polyandry is the opposite of polygyny, where a woman has more than one husband.
