lactate

1 of 2

noun

lac·​tate ˈlak-ˌtāt How to pronounce lactate (audio)
: a salt or ester of lactic acid

lactate

2 of 2

verb

lactated; lactating

intransitive verb

: to secrete milk

Examples of lactate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Studies supporting this claim included a few specific types of magnesium supplements, like magnesium aspartate, magnesium lactate, magnesium citrate, and magnesium pidolate. Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 5 Mar. 2025 Lactate oxidase, for example, breaks lactate into pyruvate and peroxide. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2014
Verb
Zoom in: The state Department of Agriculture simply recommends that lactating cattle moved within Arkansas test negative for the virus, but requires testing for cattle coming from other states. Tina Reed, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024 There are 150,000 pregnant and lactating women inside of Gaza who urgently need micro-nutrients as well to avoid those same consequences. CBS News, 19 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lactate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin lactatus, past participle of lactare, from lact-, lac

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1794, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lactate was circa 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lactate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactate. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

lactate

verb
lac·​tate
ˈlak-ˌtāt
lactated; lactating
: to give off milk
lactation
lak-ˈtā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

lactate

1 of 2 noun
lac·​tate ˈlak-ˌtāt How to pronounce lactate (audio)
: a salt or ester of lactic acid

lactate

2 of 2 intransitive verb
lactated; lactating
: to secrete milk

More from Merriam-Webster on lactate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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