Polyandry Definition:

A species of bigamy or polygamy but in reference to the wife who has more than one husband; one woman with multiple husbands.

Polyandry is prohibited in most jurisdictions.

In Muslim law, polygyny is allowed (i.e. men only, who may have up to four wives), but polyandry is not permitted.

Note also these words of Justice Douglas of the Supreme Court of United States in Cleveland v. United States:

"There are four fundamental forms of marriage: (1) monogamy; (2) polygyny, or one man with several wives; (3) polyandry, or one woman with several husbands; and (4) group marriage.

"The term polygamy covers both polygyny and polyandry."

REFERENCES:

• Cleveland v. United States, 329 US 14 (1946)