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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
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
Their bills even include electroreceptors, allowing our humble monotreme to detect living electrical fields produced by its prey.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Eventually, after years of study and intense debate, the platypus was classified as a type of primitive mammal known as a monotreme.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
These trailblazers gave rise to the three mammal lineages that persist today: the egg-laying monotremes; the marsupials, which give birth to feeble young that develop further in a pouch; and the placentals, like Ectoconus and us, which birth larger young.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
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.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near monotreme
Cite this Entry
“Monotreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotreme. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on monotreme
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monotreme
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