mammal

noun

mam·​mal ˈma-məl How to pronounce mammal (audio)
: any of a class (Mammalia) of warm-blooded higher vertebrates (such as placentals, marsupials, or monotremes) that nourish their young with milk secreted by mammary glands, have the skin usually more or less covered with hair, and include humans
mammalian adjective or noun
mammal-like adjective
or less commonly mammallike
mammal-like behavior
mammallike reptiles

Examples of mammal in a Sentence

Human beings, dogs, and cats are all mammals.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bovine tuberculosis, a bacterial disease impact all mammals, was detected in two cattle herds in two northern Michigan counties, state officials said on Monday. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 When science said dinosaurs were pea-brained and cold-blooded, humans took their demise as proof of the superiority of warm, clever mammals. Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 Birds and mammals distribute the berries widely, adding to its invasiveness. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026 Buildings destroyed by shelling damage bats’ shelters, and explosions terrify the tiny mammals, experts say. ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mammal

Word History

Etymology

from base of New Latin Mammalia (Linnaeus), class name, noun derivative from neuter plural of mammālis, from Latin mamma "breast, udder" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at mamma entry 1

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mammal was in 1811

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mammal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mammal. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

mammal

noun
mam·​mal ˈmam-əl How to pronounce mammal (audio)
: any of a class of warm-blooded vertebrates that include human beings and all other animals that nourish their young with milk produced by mammary glands and have the skin usually more or less covered with hair

Medical Definition

mammal

noun
mam·​mal ˈmam-əl How to pronounce mammal (audio)
: any of the higher vertebrate animals comprising the class Mammalia
mammalian adjective or noun

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