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
Keeping your muscles exposed to this tension also causes a build-up of various metabolites like lactate and creatine. Sherri Gordon, Health, 18 Mar. 2025 The performance test was a 90-minute run at a pace near lactate threshold, followed by an all-out time-to-exhaustion test that lasted about five minutes. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
More:Researchers believe milking equipment is aiding transition of bird flu between cows Since April, a USDA order has required lactating dairy cows to be tested for bird flu before being moved across state lines. Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024 This medication should not be used on pregnant or lactating animals, or animals with urinary, stomach or intestinal obstructions, high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 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 1 Apr. 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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