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.
Per the study, the female life expectancy advantage is only consistent in mammals, whereas in birds, amphibians and insects, males tend to live longer. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 The study found that among 528 species of mammals — including humans' closest relative the chimpanzee — females often have the advantage. Allison Aubrey, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025 The park’s statement also described the Martin redevelopment as allowing the Seaquarium legacy to continue — albeit one without marine mammals on display. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025 Join a morning or evening wildlife tour for the best chance of spotting large mammals like grizzly bears, moose, bull elk, and mountain sheep. Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025 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 13 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on mammal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!