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

Biomarkers from their blood showed elevated levels of metabolic molecules such as lactate, which indicate faulty mitochondrial performance and correlate with anxiety. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026

Players will also breathe in molecular hydrogen — used to lower stress and lactate levels — through a nasal cannula. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Verb

And PrEP distribution has been halted to everyone but pregnant and lactating women. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

The team documented the behavior only in lactating mothers and one pregnant whale, which suggests that getting in this position might be nothing more than a way for whale moms to get a break. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 22 July 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