Polygamy is the practice of marrying multiple spouses at the same time. It can take different forms:
- Polygyny : A man is married to more than one wife simultaneously. This is the most common form of polygamy worldwide.
- Polyandry : A woman is married to more than one husband simultaneously.
- Group marriage : A family unit where multiple husbands and multiple wives live together as partners.
Polygamy contrasts with monogamy, which involves marriage between only two people
. In many societies, polygyny is culturally accepted or legally recognized, especially in some Muslim-majority countries and parts of Africa. Polyandry is much rarer globally. There are also broader definitions of polygamy that include social or sexual relationships with multiple partners, not necessarily formal marriages
. In summary, polygamy means having multiple spouses at the same time, most commonly a man with multiple wives (polygyny), but it can also mean a woman with multiple husbands (polyandry) or group marriages involving multiple partners
