mammary

adjective

mam·​ma·​ry ˈma-mə-rē 

: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammae

Examples of mammary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shearer was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, in 2022. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026

In cats, the gene was frequently altered in mammary tumors. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

About half of mammary tumors found in dogs are benign, and of those that are malignant, most can be treated successfully with surgery if caught early enough. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Half of the mammary tumors found in dogs are benign, and of the malignant half, most can be treated successfully with surgery if caught early enough, the veterinary group notes. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin mammārius, from Latin mamma "breast, udder" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at mamma entry 1

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mammary

• mammary gland

Kids Definition

mammary

adjective

mam·​ma·​ry ˈmam-ə-rē 

: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammary glands

Medical Definition

mammary

1 of 2 adjective

mam·​ma·​ry ˈmam-ə-rē 

: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammae

mammary

2 of 2 noun

plural mammaries

: mammary gland