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
Keeping your muscles exposed to this tension also causes a build-up of various metabolites like lactate and creatine. Sherri Gordon, Health, 18 Sep. 2025 Some small studies have suggested better absorption of magnesium with aspartate, chloride, citrate, or lactate compounds.3 Most people can get enough magnesium through their diet by eating various healthful foods, which bring additional health benefits. Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
As a result, many of the more than 170,000 Haitians who have been forcefully returned are pregnant or lactating women, as well as children and newborns. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025 Females average around 700 pounds but need the fat even since higher body fat increases cub survival, and lactating females can lose even more than a third of their weight over winter. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025 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 30 Sep. 2025.

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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