1. the practice of eating many different kinds of food
Usage: biology; ecology
2. excessive eating or appetite
Usage: medical

Examples

• The bear’s polyphagy allows it to survive in diverse habitats by eating both plants and animals.
• Many insects exhibit polyphagy, feeding on multiple host plant species.
• The patient’s polyphagy was a symptom of an underlying metabolic disorder.
• Polyphagy in certain bird species helps them adapt to seasonal food availability.
• The researcher studied polyphagy patterns in urban wildlife populations.
• Polyphagy can be both an evolutionary advantage and a medical concern depending on the context.