exogamy
noun
ex·og·a·my
ek-ˈsä-gə-mē 
plural exogamies
: marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law
Did you know?
Marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law is exogamy. Exogamous groups sometimes even specify the group into which members must marry. Such groups are usually defined in terms of kinship rather than in terms of politics or territory. Exogamy is usually characteristic of groups that trace descent through either the maternal or paternal line only.
Examples of exogamy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers believe their findings reinforce that women marrying outside their community, called female exogamy, was associated with Bronze Age societies.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 29 July 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 29 July 2021
Dictionary Entries Near exogamy
Cite this Entry
“Exogamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exogamy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
exogamy
noun
ex·og·a·my
ek-ˈsäg-ə-mē
plural exogamies
1
: marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law
2
: sexual reproduction between individuals (as of a particular species) that are not closely related
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share