mammary gland

noun

: any of the large compound modified sebaceous glands that in female mammals are modified to secrete milk, are situated ventrally in pairs, and usually terminate in a nipple

Examples of mammary gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once weaned, the kittens should be separated from the mother gradually, allowing her milk to dry up naturally, so that her mammary glands do not become engorged. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

When cows get infected with bird flu, the highest level of the virus is concentrated in the mammary gland. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025

In cows, for example, the H5N1 virus primarily infects the mammary glands. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Infected cows shed the virus through their mammary glands, making unpasteurized milk—known as raw milk—a potential source of exposure. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mammary gland

• analysand
• misunderstand
• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand

Kids Definition

mammary gland

noun

: one of the large glands that in female mammals produce milk and in males are usually underdeveloped, are located in pairs on the abdominal side of the animal body, and usually end in a nipple

Medical Definition

mammary gland

noun

: any of the large compound sebaceous glands that in female mammals are modified to secrete milk, are situated ventrally in pairs, and usually terminate in a nipple