mama

noun

ma·​ma ˈmä-mə How to pronounce mama (audio)
 chiefly British  mə-ˈmä
variants or less commonly mamma or momma
1
: mother
2
slang : wife, woman

Examples of mama in a Sentence

I'm not your mama—you'll have to clean up after yourself.
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.
Photos show the orcas swimming among one another, with some shots of what looks like a baby cuddling up to its mama. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025 Best for Postpartum: Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Compression Leggings 8/12 Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Compression Leggings A godsend for new mamas, these leggings have the best tummy compression without being too constricting. Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar, Glamour, 2 June 2025 Turns out that her mama also had the gift for sharing life mottos that are worth repeating. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 27 May 2025 The mama supplants all the other mother types that have come before her. Amanda Hess, Vogue, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mama

Word History

Etymology

baby talk

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mama was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mama. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

mama

noun
ma·​ma
variants also mamma or momma
ˈmäm-ə

More from Merriam-Webster on mama

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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