French word

mammifère

Pronunciation

IPA/mamifɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmammal

Example

Le chien est un mammifère.

The dog is a mammal.

Illustration for mammifère (mammal)

More examples

La chauve-souris est une espèce de mammifère qui vole.

The bat is a species of mammal that flies.

Core concept

A milk-feeding, usually hairy vertebrate, including species whose hair is not obvious.

Common phrases

  • une espèce de mammifère

    a species of mammal

  • le plus grand mammifère

    the largest mammal

Similar words

animal: A living animal of any kind.
poisson: An animal that lives in water and breathes through gills.
oiseau: An animal with feathers that lays eggs.
insecte: A small animal, usually with six legs.

Definition in French

Animal vertébré qui allaite ses petits et qui, chez la plupart des espèces, possède des poils.

Word origin

The scientific word mammifère comes from Latin mammifer, whose parts mamma and ferre express the idea of carrying or having breasts.

Usage tips

  • Whales and dolphins are mammifères even though they live in water and show little visible hair as adults.

Related words

  • mammalienmammalianadjective

Word lists with this word