lactate

1 of 2

noun

lac·​tate ˈlak-ˌtāt 

: 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

Noun

Holroyd’s lab is investigating both glutamate and lactate, an important energy source for the brain, as well as the contribution of the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain involved in attention and decision-making. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

The brand’s Daily Nourish Body Lotion keeps things refreshingly simple, pairing 12% ammonium lactate with moisturizing glycerin, mineral oil, and not much else. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

In the non-lactating breast, more than half the volume is fat and connective tissue rather than milk-making tissue, and the gland only expands substantially during pregnancy and nursing. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Colostrum is the first milk produced by lactating cows, containing the antibodies necessary for newborn calves to fight infections. — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing lactate

• lactate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for lactate

• tractate

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 

: a salt or ester of lactic acid

lactate

2 of 2 intransitive verb

lactated; lactating

: to secrete milk