polyandry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 (Low Frequency, Academic/Specialized)Formal, Academic, Anthropological, Technical (Biology)
Quick answer
What does “polyandry” mean?
A form of marriage in which a woman has more than one husband at the same time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of marriage in which a woman has more than one husband at the same time.
The practice or condition of having more than one male mate or partner simultaneously; in biology, a mating system in which one female mates with several males.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Same academic/anthropological connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “polyandry” in a Sentence
[Subject] + practises/studies/describes + polyandryPolyandry + is/was + [Past Participle] (e.g., practised, documented, studied)Polyandry + among + [Group Name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polyandry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The society does not polyandrise.
- No standard verb form exists.
American English
- No verb form 'to polyandry' is standard.
- The term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The group lived polyandrously. (Very rare, theoretical)
- Not commonly used.
American English
- Not a standard adverbial form.
- To live polyandrously is grammatically possible but highly uncommon.
adjective
British English
- A polyandrous union was documented.
- The polyandrous society was studied for decades.
American English
- She researched polyandrous mating systems in birds.
- Polyandrous arrangements are less common globally.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in anthropology, gender studies, and evolutionary biology.
Everyday
Very rarely used, only in educated discussion of marriage systems.
Technical
Specific term in anthropology and behavioural ecology for a mating system.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polyandry”
- Mispronouncing as /paʊliˈændri/ (confusing 'poly' with 'pow').
- Confusing it with polygamy (the general term) or polygyny (specifically multiple wives).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to polyandry' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is much rarer than polygyny and is documented in only a small number of societies historically and in the present, such as in parts of Tibet, Nepal, and some indigenous groups.
Polygamy is the general umbrella term for marriage to more than one spouse. Polyandry is a specific type of polygamy where the multiple spouses are husbands.
It is the most common form of polyandry, where a woman marries a set of brothers. This is often associated with preserving family property and unity.
Yes. The male-equivalent practice is called 'polygyny' (one man, multiple wives). The general term for having multiple spouses is 'polygamy'.
A form of marriage in which a woman has more than one husband at the same time.
Polyandry is usually formal, academic, anthropological, technical (biology) in register.
Polyandry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒl.i.æn.dri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.li.æn.dri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'POLY' (many) + 'ANDR' (man, as in android) + 'Y' (state of) = the state of having many men/husbands.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A POSSESSION/CONTRACT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes polyandry?