Monogamy

Monogamy refers to a relationship or marriage structure in which a person has only one spouse or partner at a time. In the narrower sense, it means marriage to one person only, i.e. a legally or socially recognized union between two people. In social and biological contexts, monogamy is also used as the counterpart to relationship forms involving multiple partners.

Monogamy is not always identical with sexual fidelity or lifelong exclusivity. The term first and foremost describes the structure of a partnership or marriage; depending on the context, sexual, romantic, or social aspects may also be implied. The exact meaning therefore depends on the situation.