udder

noun

ud·​der ˈə-dər How to pronounce udder (audio)
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
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.
Cow udders may offer one venue for such a hybrid virus to develop. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025 Goats and cows with full udders know nothing of Christmas holidays, your sister’s wedding, or being bedridden with the flu. — Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026 Then with a little nudging, the clumsy newborn finds the udder bulging between the cow’s back legs and hungrily suckles colostrum so critical for its first feeding. — Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026 The steady pulsing of milking machines mingled with a thumping musical beat as McAfee marched down the rows, pointing to their light pink udders. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for udder

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of udder was before the 12th century

Rhymes for udder

See All Rhymes for udder

Browse Nearby Words

UDC
udder
udderless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Udder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/udder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

udder

noun
ud·​der ˈəd-ər How to pronounce udder (audio)
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 How to pronounce udder (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on udder

Nglish: Translation of udder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about udder

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