udder

noun

ud·​der ˈə-dər 

1

: a large pendulous organ consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common envelope and each provided with a single nipple see cow illustration

2

: mammary gland

Examples of udder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raw milk can carry disease-causing bacteria from infected udder tissue, residue from milking equipment or particles from the water, soil and cow manure, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024

Typically, the milking process has standards to wipe down udders and equipment before milking begins. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024

But the rapid viral growth in cow udders raises concerns that the avian virus could learn to latch on to the mammal-specific virus receptor also in the udder, says Tom Peacock, an influenza virologist at the Pirbright Institute. —Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 7 May 2024

In laboratory experiments, Beer and coworkers recently infected cows with the virus to better understand infection of the udder, which USDA has concluded is the main route of transmission as the virus moves between cows on milking equipment. —Byjon Cohen, science.org, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ūder; akin to Old High German ūtar udder, Latin uber, Greek outhar, Sanskrit ūdhar

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

udder

noun

ud·​der ˈəd-ər 

1

: a large bag-shaped organ (as of a cow) consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common pouch but with each having a separate nipple

2

: a mammary gland

Medical Definition

udder

noun

ud·​der ˈəd-ər 

: a large pendulous organ in various mammals and especially a female domestic bovine consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common envelope and each provided with a single nipple