mammary gland

noun

: any of the large compound modified sebaceous glands that in female mammals are modified to secrete milk, are situated ventrally in pairs, and usually terminate in a nipple

Examples of mammary gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Infected cows shed the virus through their mammary glands, making unpasteurized milk—known as raw milk—a potential source of exposure. —Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Bird flu appears to spread efficiently on dairy farms, likely because cows shed the virus through their mammary glands, then infect other animals through their raw milk. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025

After the arduous grooming process, Angel was able to eat and rest, and a veterinarian checked her over, where she was found to have dental disease and an eye ulcer, along with ear infections, skin infections and mammary gland tumors. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Their mammary glands are the primary target of the virus. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mammary gland

noun

: one of the large glands that in female mammals produce milk and in males are usually underdeveloped, are located in pairs on the abdominal side of the animal body, and usually end in a nipple

Medical Definition

mammary gland

noun

: any of the large compound sebaceous glands that in female mammals are modified to secrete milk, are situated ventrally in pairs, and usually terminate in a nipple