mammary

adjective

mam·​ma·​ry ˈma-mə-rē How to pronounce mammary (audio)
: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammae

Examples of mammary in a Sentence

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.
Keeping one breast leaves a small chance that the cancer will return, but Simpson said the possibility was worth it to her to avoid numbness across much of her chest from having the nerves removed along with the mammary tissue. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026 Shearer, 43, was first diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, in March 2022. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 Shearer was first diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer, in March 2022. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Shearer was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive mammary carcinoma breast cancer in March 2022, according to Women’s Health Magazine. Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mammary

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mammary was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mammary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mammary. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

mammary

adjective
mam·​ma·​ry ˈmam-ə-rē How to pronounce mammary (audio)
: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammary glands

Medical Definition

mammary

1 of 2 adjective
mam·​ma·​ry ˈmam-ə-rē How to pronounce mammary (audio)
: of, relating to, lying near, or affecting the mammae

mammary

2 of 2 noun
plural mammaries

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