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
Paul G. DonohueWhen 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
David B. Weems… lactation rooms where mothers can express milk for baby.—Shawn Tully
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
Barbara Quick2
: 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
Eastern Milk ProducerExamples of lactation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Are there teams and systems in place to offer support beyond your health care provider, such as a maternity concierge, 24/7 nurse advice phone line, and lactation consultants?
—Advertorial, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
And even for those with insurance coverage, services like postpartum doulas, lactation consultants and home visits aren’t always adequately covered.
—Natalie Davis, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Plans to open or expand similar lactation management units in hospitals across Nepal, particularly in facilities serving large numbers of at-risk newborns, have been put on hold due as recent funding cuts have affected UNICEF’s ability to support these initiatives.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
For example, iron may be needed for women with heavy periods, B12 helps vegetarians and vegans and prenatal vitamins are crucial during pregnancy and lactation.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lactation
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Advertorial, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
And even for those with insurance coverage, services like postpartum doulas, lactation consultants and home visits aren’t always adequately covered.
—Natalie Davis, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Plans to open or expand similar lactation management units in hospitals across Nepal, particularly in facilities serving large numbers of at-risk newborns, have been put on hold due as recent funding cuts have affected UNICEF’s ability to support these initiatives.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
For example, iron may be needed for women with heavy periods, B12 helps vegetarians and vegans and prenatal vitamins are crucial during pregnancy and lactation.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lactation
Cite this Entry
“Lactation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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