monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmä-nə-ˌtrēm 
: any of an order (Monotremata) of egg-laying mammals comprising the platypuses and echidnas
Examples of monotreme in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Why did those teeth end up disappearing altogether in modern monotremes?
—
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 7 June 2024
While the ancestors of today’s monotremes had teeth, the living species do not and instead grind their food inside their mouths.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
That diversity represents another look at the evolution of monotremes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
Both the diversity and abundance of monotreme fossils from that site paint a picture of a very different Australian mammalian landscape — one populated with furry egg-layers.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
This group includes living mammals that lay eggs like the platypus called monotremes.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Mammals Diversified Much More Rapidly 66 Million Years Ago
Observing Mammalian Species
Mammals are divided into three groups: placentals, marsupials, and monotremes.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Only five living monotremes exist: four echidna species and the platypus.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
There are only five existing species of monotremes: the platypus and four species of echidna.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023
Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 7 June 2024
While the ancestors of today’s monotremes had teeth, the living species do not and instead grind their food inside their mouths.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
That diversity represents another look at the evolution of monotremes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
Both the diversity and abundance of monotreme fossils from that site paint a picture of a very different Australian mammalian landscape — one populated with furry egg-layers.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
This group includes living mammals that lay eggs like the platypus called monotremes.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024
Mammals Diversified Much More Rapidly 66 Million Years Ago
Observing Mammalian Species
Mammals are divided into three groups: placentals, marsupials, and monotremes.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Only five living monotremes exist: four echidna species and the platypus.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023
There are only five existing species of monotremes: the platypus and four species of echidna.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monotreme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Monotreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotreme. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm
: any of an order of egg-laying mammals that include the platypuses and echidnas
Medical Definition
monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm
: any mammal (as a platypus) of the order Monotremata
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