bigamy

/ˈbɪgəmi/

Other forms: bigamies

When you are married to two people at the same time, that’s called bigamy. For example, if someone gets remarried before his or her previous marriage's divorce is finalized, that's bigamy.

The noun bigamy originates in the Greek as a combination of the prefix bi-, meaning “double,” and gamos, which means “marrying.” There are some cultures and religions that promote, encourage and otherwise allow polygamy, but where it’s illegal, which is most of the Western Hemisphere, it’s called bigamy.

Definitions of bigamy

1. noun

   the offense of marrying someone while you have a living spouse from whom no valid divorce has occurred
   type of:

   regulatory offence, regulatory offense, statutory offence, statutory offense

   crimes created by statutes and not by common law
2. noun

   having two spouses at the same time
   type of:

   marriage, matrimony, spousal relationship, union, wedlock

   the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)