mammal

noun

mam·​mal ˈma-məl 

: 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

mə-ˈmā-lē-ən 

ma-

adjective or noun

mammal-like

ˈma-məl-ˌlīk 

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

No carbs, no problem Bats are unique amongst mammals and vampires are unique among bats. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

The compound naturally occurs in a variety of mammals and plants. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

These small cats, often mistaken for house cats due to their size and coloration, are capable jumpers and hunters of small mammals and birds. —Tom Howarth follow, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The ship will travel on to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, providing myriad opportunities to marvel at pristine landscapes; catch sight of marine mammals, penguins, and other rare birdlife; and visit towns that evoke Victorian England. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

mammal

noun

mam·​mal ˈmam-əl 

: 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 

: any of the higher vertebrate animals comprising the class Mammalia

mammalian

mə-ˈmā-lē-ən, ma- 

adjective or noun