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

Chefs curate meals to promote lactation and restore nutrients needed in the fourth trimester. —Sierra Leone Starks, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024

Lots of people really like the Na’vi from Avatar, but the tall, slender aliens seem designed to be desired (James Cameron insisted on giving the female Na’vi breasts, despite the species lack of lactation). —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Risk factors include malnutrition, chronic alcohol exposure, anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) medications, and pregnancy or lactation. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 27 Sep. 2024

This has led some researchers to propose there’s another, estrogen-independent mechanism protecting bones during lactation. —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