lactate

1 of 2

noun

lac·​tate ˈlak-ˌtāt How to pronounce lactate (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Species linked to inflammation and lactate production became more prominent, including proinflammatory Streptococcus parasanguinis and Actinomyces oris, along with the lactate-producing Oribacterium sinus, while others associated with nutrient synthesis receded. New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026 One semester, Sammy and Logan took a statistics course together, and measured Sammy’s blood lactate levels during workouts on the ski treadmill for a class project. Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
None of the 24 female bears were reported to be lactating, which is a sign a female bear recently gave birth. Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026 Cardozo added that all milking operations have ceased, and some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle are still grazing. Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lactate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lactate was circa 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lactate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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 How to pronounce lactate (audio)
: a salt or ester of lactic acid

lactate

2 of 2 intransitive verb
lactated; lactating
: to secrete milk

More from Merriam-Webster on lactate

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