udder

noun

ud·​der ˈə-dər 

1

: a large pendulous organ consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common envelope and each provided with a single nipple see cow illustration

2

: mammary gland

Examples of udder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When milking is complete, the robot cleans the udder again, and the cow is free to leave as the robot steam cleans itself in preparation for the next cow. —IEEE Spectrum, 1 Apr. 2025

The virus seems to target the cells of a cow’s udder. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024

The goat had a resigned look in her eyes as the rancher pressed her udder and aimed a stream of milk into a tall cup. —Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025

That udder cell was inserted into an empty egg cell from another sheep, and over six days, a team at the Roslin Institute carefully studied it in a test tube, looking for signs of normal development. —Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ūder; akin to Old High German ūtar udder, Latin uber, Greek outhar, Sanskrit ūdhar

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for udder

• rudder
• scudder
• shudder

Kids Definition

udder

noun

ud·​der ˈəd-ər 

1

: a large bag-shaped organ (as of a cow) consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common pouch but with each having a separate nipple

2

: a mammary gland

Medical Definition

udder

noun

ud·​der ˈəd-ər 

: a large pendulous organ in various mammals and especially a female domestic bovine consisting of two or more mammary glands enclosed in a common envelope and each provided with a single nipple