lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

plural lactations

1

: the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands

… there may be overproduction of prolactin, the breast milk hormone. A sign of that might be abnormal lactation.

—Paul G. Donohue

When a doe kids and begins lactation, she must draw on the calcium stored in her bones to furnish enough blood calcium for milk production.

—David B. Weems

… lactation rooms where mothers can express milk for baby.

—Shawn Tully

… the infants of mothers given the names of lactation support groups or individuals instead are more likely to be fully breast-feeding at four months.

—Barbara Quick

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of birthing to weaning

… cows fed 1.1 percent bicarb in the total ration produced an average 17,587 lbs. of milk per lactation …

—Eastern Milk Producer

lactational

lak-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

lactational mastitis

Examples of lactation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sparks, who also works in health care as a lactation consultant and holds a doctorate of pharmacy, didn’t mince words when asked if her community was working to find the suspect in Thompson’s murder. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024

Until then, some retreats give guests an itemized bill to submit for reimbursement through their insurance for services like lactation coaching. —Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using ashwagandha, as there isn't enough evidence on the safety of this supplement during pregnancy or lactation. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2024

During normal lactation, calcium is stripped from bones to support the production of milk, leading to a reduction in bone mass and density. —Bycatherine Offord, science.org, 10 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the secretion and yielding of milk by the mammary gland

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of parturition to weaning

lactational

-shən-ᵊl 

adjective

lactationally

-ē 

adverb