monogamous
UK: mɒˈnɒɡəməs | US: məˈnɑːɡəməs
adj. involving or practicing marriage with only one partner at a time
adj. (biology) mating with a single partner during a breeding season or lifetime
The word "monogamous" combines Greek-derived morphemes:
- "mono" (from Greek monos, meaning "single" or "alone")
- "gam" (from Greek gamos, meaning "marriage" or "union")
- "-ous" (a suffix forming adjectives, indicating possession or quality).
The term reflects the concept of exclusive partnership, originally in marriage but later extended to biological mating behaviors. The Greek roots highlight a cultural and linguistic emphasis on singularity in unions, contrasting with terms like "polygamous."
Many bird species are monogamous, staying with one mate for life.
In some cultures, monogamous relationships are the social norm.
The study compared monogamous and polygamous mating systems in mammals.
Their monogamous marriage lasted over 50 years.
Anthropologists debate whether early humans were strictly monogamous.