What does polygyny mean?
Polygyny is a marriage system or social practice in which one man has more than one wife at the same time. Unlike the broader term "polygamy," which can refer to having multiple spouses without specifying the arrangement, polygyny identifies the husband’s role. The term is used especially in anthropology, history, law, and discussions of comparative family systems. It does not itself indicate whether the arrangement is voluntary, culturally accepted, religiously prescribed, or imposed, nor does it imply that the wives have equal social status. Polygyny is distinct from polyandry, in which one woman has multiple husbands. In modern usage, the word is often encountered in academic writing, historical descriptions, and discussions of legal or religious traditions, where it provides a precise label for a particular form of marriage organization.
nounPolygyny is the practice or custom of a man having more than one wife at the same time. It may also refer to a social system in which men are permitted or expected to have multiple wives.
- The custom or practice of a man having more than one wife at the same time.
- A marriage system in which men may or are expected to have more than one wife.
"The historical community was organized around polygyny, with prominent men maintaining households headed by several wives."
"The law permitted polygyny in certain religious communities."
"The study compared polygyny with monogamy across several societies."
The plural is used mainly in academic and comparative discussions of marriage systems.
"The researchers compared polygynies and monogamous communities."
Polygyny names a marriage system in which one man may have several wives, making it the gender-specific counterpart of polyandry.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polygyny come from?
Polygyny comes from Greek roots meaning “many” and “woman,” with the sense of “having many wives.” It was formed in English during the 19th century in the context of comparative studies of marriage and family systems. It belongs to a wider family of Greek-derived terms including "polygamy" and "polyandry," which describe related forms of multiple marriage.
Related word forms
How polygyny is actually used
The term is chiefly used in anthropology, history, law, and the comparative study of marriage systems. It is more precise than the broader word "polygamy" because it identifies the arrangement from the perspective of the man with multiple wives.
Easily confused with polygyny
Polygyny refers to one man having multiple wives, whereas polyandry refers to one woman having multiple husbands.
Polygamy is the broader term for having multiple spouses, while polygyny specifically describes a man with more than one wife.