monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmä-nə-ˌtrēm 
: any of an order (Monotremata) of egg-laying mammals comprising the platypuses and echidnas
Examples of monotreme in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their mammary glands are markedly different from those of eutherian mammals such as cows and humans that have nipples; monotremes instead secrete milk through specialized mammary hairs.
—
Gat Rauner, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2024
And both echidnas and platypuses are considered monotremes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
Why did those teeth end up disappearing altogether in modern monotremes?
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 7 June 2024
While the ancestors of today’s monotremes had teeth, the living species do not and instead grind their food inside their mouths.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for monotreme 
Gat Rauner, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2024
And both echidnas and platypuses are considered monotremes.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024
Why did those teeth end up disappearing altogether in modern monotremes?
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 7 June 2024
While the ancestors of today’s monotremes had teeth, the living species do not and instead grind their food inside their mouths.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for monotreme
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monotreme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Monotreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotreme. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm
: any of an order of egg-laying mammals that include the platypuses and echidnas
Medical Definition
monotreme
noun
mono·treme
ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm
: any mammal (as a platypus) of the order Monotremata
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