1. the practice or condition of having only one wife at a time
Usage: anthropology; formal
2. in biology, the mating system where a male mates with only one female
Usage: biology; zoology

Examples

• Monogyny is the predominant marriage system in most Western cultures.
• The anthropologist studied societies that practiced monogyny versus those with polygamous traditions.
• Many bird species exhibit monogyny, with males forming pair bonds with single females.
• The research compared reproductive success in species with monogyny versus polygyny.
• Cultural factors often influence whether a society adopts monogyny or other mating systems.
• In some animal populations, monogyny ensures greater parental investment in offspring.