# mammary

/ˈmæmɝi/ (US) · /mˈæməɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mammary
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

connected to breasts and the milk they make to feed babies. You see it in the phrase mammary gland.

For teachers: relating to the breasts or to the milk-producing glands in mammals. Often appears in anatomical phrases such as 'mammary gland'.

## Examples

- Female mammals have mammary glands to feed their young.
- The vet checked the dog's mammary glands after she gave birth to make sure she could nurse her puppies.
- Comparative studies of mammary tissue across species reveal how nursing strategies evolved to match different environments and infant needs.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies, as in 'mammary gland'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.