monotreme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “monotreme” mean?
A primitive mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A primitive mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
A member of the order Monotremata, the only group of egg-laying mammals, characterized by a single opening (cloaca) for excretion and reproduction. They include the platypus and echidna.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
None beyond the technical/scientific meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “monotreme” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] is a monotreme.Monotremes [VERB] eggs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monotreme” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The monotreme characteristics are fascinating to researchers.
- We studied monotreme reproduction.
American English
- The monotreme features are highly specialized.
- Monotreme anatomy is unique among mammals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and evolutionary studies. E.g., 'The monotreme lineage diverged from other mammals over 160 million years ago.'
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in documentaries or trivia contexts.
Technical
The primary context. Used in taxonomic descriptions and comparative anatomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monotreme”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monotreme”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monotreme”
- Mispronouncing as 'mono-treme' (like 'extreme'). Correct stress is on the first syllable: MON-o-treme.
- Using it to describe any unusual mammal instead of specifically egg-laying ones.
- Confusing monotremes with marsupials like kangaroos.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there are only five extant species: the platypus and four species of echidna.
They are native to Australia and New Guinea.
Yes, they are mammals and produce milk, but they lack teats. The milk is secreted through pores in the skin.
Because, despite having fur and producing milk, it reproduces by laying eggs, which is the key monotreme characteristic.
A primitive mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
Monotreme is usually technical/academic in register.
Monotreme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒn.əʊ.triːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑː.nə.triːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MONO (single) TRE (tree) with M (eggs) on it. A single type of mammal that lays eggs, like a bird in a tree.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING FOSSIL (emphasizes its ancient, unchanged characteristics).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a monotreme?