mamma

¹ American  

[mah-muh, muh-mah] / ˈmɑ mə, məˈmɑ /

noun

1. mama.

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mamma ² American  

[mam-uh] / ˈmæm ə /

noun

mammae plural

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a structure, characteristic of mammals, that comprises one or more mammary glands with an associated nipple or teat, usually rudimentary unless developed and activated for the secretion of milk in the female after the birth of young.

2. Meteorology. the hanging protuberances of a mammatus, on the undersurface of a thunderstorm cloud.

   The mamma in this formation are distinctly ominous.

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mamma ¹ British  

noun

1. Also: momma.  another word for mother 1

2. informal a buxom and voluptuous woman

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mamma ² British  

/ ˈmæmə /

noun

1. the milk-secreting organ of female mammals: the breast in women, the udder in cows, sheep, etc

2. (functioning as plural) breast-shaped protuberances, esp from the base of cumulonimbus clouds

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Etymology

Origin of mamma

First recorded before 1050; Middle English, from Latin: “breast, teat” (whence Old English mamme “teat”); see mamma ¹

Example Sentences

The mamma centipede may have a face like a David Cronenberg nightmare, but she's a devoted parent, curling around the wriggly bits of multi-legged spaghetti she calls her offspring to protect them.

From Salon • May 11, 2025

“And to defend the right of her mamma and papa to do all that they can for her.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 6, 2023

“No mamma must be forced to interrupt nursing to return to work, no women should be denied this possibility,” she said.

From Washington Times • Jun. 7, 2023

A four-year-old girl walks into the centre and calls Ms Egbon "mamma", while her mother waits outside.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2021

“Your mamma too proud for you. What mammy say.”

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner