lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

plural lactations

1

: the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands

… there may be overproduction of prolactin, the breast milk hormone. A sign of that might be abnormal lactation.

—Paul G. Donohue

When a doe kids and begins lactation, she must draw on the calcium stored in her bones to furnish enough blood calcium for milk production.

—David B. Weems

… lactation rooms where mothers can express milk for baby.

—Shawn Tully

… the infants of mothers given the names of lactation support groups or individuals instead are more likely to be fully breast-feeding at four months.

—Barbara Quick

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of birthing to weaning

… cows fed 1.1 percent bicarb in the total ration produced an average 17,587 lbs. of milk per lactation …

—Eastern Milk Producer

lactational

lak-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

lactational mastitis

Examples of lactation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lee learned about lactation, C sections, domestic violence, birth control and much more throughout her time in the Centering program. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026

Pregnancy and lactation increase the need for choline, with recommendations of 450 mg and 550 mg per day, respectively. —Lauren Manaker, SELF, 5 Mar. 2026

In addition, the NWA Tongue Tie Center will offer on-site evaluation and tongue-tie procedures, including frenectomy, and will work in collaboration with therapists and lactation consultants to support optimal feeding, speech and airway outcomes. —Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026

Jennifer Atherton, president of the Dallas Police Women’s Association, said the current academy’s shortcomings — too few showers or lockers and the lack of a lactation room — have become harder to ignore as the department has drawn more women into its recruit classes. —Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lactation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Medical Definition

lactation

noun

lac·​ta·​tion lak-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the secretion and yielding of milk by the mammary gland

2

: one complete period of lactation extending from about the time of parturition to weaning

lactational

-shən-ᵊl 

adjective

lactationally

-ē 

adverb