1. The condition in which the female reproductive organs (carpels) of a flower mature before the male ones (stamens), thereby ensuring that self-fertilization does not occur. Examples of protogynous flowers are plantain and figwort. Compare protandry; homogamy. See also dichogamy.

2. The condition in hermaphrodite or colonial invertebrates in which the female gonads or individuals are sexually mature before the male ones. Compare protandry.