1. a mating system in which two individuals mate exclusively with each other. Recent genetic studies of paternity indicate that some offspring of male–female pairs exhibiting monogamy are not related to the father, leading to a distinction between social monogamy, in which there is an appearance of a close pair bond, and genetic monogamy, in which there is exclusive mating. Many species, including human beings, display serial monogamy, in which there is an exclusive social bond with each of a series of sexual partners at different times during the individual’s life. Compare polyandry; polygynandry; polygyny.

2. traditionally, marriage to only one spouse at a time. Compare polygamy. —monogamous adj.