lactose

noun

lac·​tose ˈlak-ˌtōs How to pronounce lactose (audio)
-ˌtōz
: a disaccharide sugar C12H22O11 that is present in milk and yields glucose and galactose upon hydrolysis and yields especially lactic acid upon fermentation

Examples of lactose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Around 36% of Americans have some sort of issue digesting lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024 What’s more, the pressure filtration method removes nearly all of the lactose, the sugar in milk that can cause symptoms like bloating, gas, or diarrhea for folks who have difficulty digesting it. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Apr. 2024 Lactase supplements are mostly used by people who have difficulty digesting lactose found in dairy products. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024 This intolerance is when your body can’t properly break down a sugar in milk called lactose, causing GI symptoms like bloating or diarrhea. Toby Amidor, Rd, Health, 23 Mar. 2024 The carbohydrate sources are corn syrup solids and lactose, and the protein comes from whey. Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Therefore, people who have difficulty digesting lactose can still absorb calcium from dairy products. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024 Compared with compound proteins, isolates contain more protein and less fat, carbs, and lactose, the latter of which can cause GI distress and digestion issues for some, Dr. Titchenal explains. Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2024 Certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, can lead to secondary lactose intolerance. Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lactose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lactose was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near lactose

Cite this Entry

“Lactose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactose. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

lactose

noun
lac·​tose ˈlak-ˌtōs How to pronounce lactose (audio)
: a sugar present in milk that breaks down to give glucose and galactose and on fermentation gives especially lactic acid

called also milk sugar

Medical Definition

lactose

noun
: a disaccharide sugar C12H22O11 that is present in milk, yields glucose and galactose upon hydrolysis, yields especially lactic acid upon fermentation, and is used chiefly in foods, medicines, and culture media (as for the manufacture of penicillin)

called also milk sugar

More from Merriam-Webster on lactose

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