noun
udder
UH-der/ˈʌdər/
A milk-producing organ with teats in cows and similar animals.
The cow's udder hangs naturally between the hind legs with four teats.
Etymology
Old English udder already named the animal’s milk glands, especially when large and baggy with more than one teat. The modern meaning preserves that concrete anatomical sense.
In context
Next, we see that the udder is composed of four separate glands, commonly referred to as quarters. The front quarters account for approximately 40% of the total milk production
More examples
- The calf reaches for a teat on its mother's udder.
- The veterinarian checks the goat's swollen udder.
- Dairy workers check the cows' udders for signs of infection.
Forms
udder · udders
Similar words
- mammary gland
- Names an individual milk-producing gland rather than the whole udder.