monotreme

noun

mono·​treme ˈmä-nə-ˌtrēm How to pronounce monotreme (audio)
: 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 Mammals Diversified Much More Rapidly 66 Million Years Ago Observing Mammalian Species Mammals are divided into three groups: placentals, marsupials, and monotremes. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 Only five living monotremes exist: four echidna species and the platypus. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023 There are only five existing species of monotremes: the platypus and four species of echidna. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2023 Their bills even include electroreceptors, allowing our humble monotreme to detect living electrical fields produced by its prey. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 Eventually, after years of study and intense debate, the platypus was classified as a type of primitive mammal known as a monotreme. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023 These trailblazers gave rise to the three mammal lineages that persist today: the egg-laying monotremes; the marsupials, which give birth to feeble young that develop further in a pouch; and the placentals, like Ectoconus and us, which birth larger young. Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022 That includes all mammals except marsupials (like kangaroos and possums) and monotremes (like platypuses and echidnas). Sarah Leupen, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2023 With webbed feet, beaver-like tails, duck bills, water-resistant coats and venom-secreting spurs on their hind legs, platypuses might be Australia’s most mysterious and charismatic monotreme, or primitive egg-laying mammals. Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2020

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.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Monotremata, from Greek mon- + trēmat-, trēma hole — more at trematode

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monotreme was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near monotreme

Cite this Entry

“Monotreme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monotreme. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monotreme

noun
mono·​treme ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm How to pronounce monotreme (audio)
: any of an order of egg-laying mammals that include the platypuses and echidnas

Medical Definition

monotreme

noun
mono·​treme ˈmän-ə-ˌtrēm How to pronounce monotreme (audio)
: any mammal (as a platypus) of the order Monotremata

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