: an enzyme that hydrolyzes beta-galactosides (such as lactose) and occurs especially in the intestines of young mammals and in yeasts
Examples of lactase in a Sentence
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This condition occurs when the body doesn't produce enough lactase, an enzyme that breaks down the lactose in milk and yogurt.
—
Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
Lactose intolerance, for example, occurs in people who lack the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose sugar molecule found in both raw and pasteurized milk.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
The infection damages the gut lining, leading to a lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Normally digested by the body with an enzyme called ‘lactase’, this sugar breaks down into lactic acid to feed the healthy bacteria in our intestinal microbiota.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lactase
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Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025
Lactose intolerance, for example, occurs in people who lack the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose sugar molecule found in both raw and pasteurized milk.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
The infection damages the gut lining, leading to a lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Normally digested by the body with an enzyme called ‘lactase’, this sugar breaks down into lactic acid to feed the healthy bacteria in our intestinal microbiota.
—Marie Bladt, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lactase
Cite this Entry
“Lactase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactase. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lactase
noun
lac·tase
ˈlak-ˌtās 
: an enzyme that breaks down lactose and related compounds and occurs especially in the intestines of young mammals and in yeasts
Medical Definition
lactase
noun
lac·tase
ˈlak-ˌtās, -ˌtāz
: an enzyme that hydrolyzes especially lactose to glucose and galactose and occurs especially in the intestines of young mammals and in yeasts
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