weaned; weaning; weans
1
: to accustom (a young child or animal) to take food otherwise than by nursing
2
: to detach from a source of dependence
being weaned off the medication
wean the bears from human food—
Sports Illus.
Sports Illus.
also
: to free from a usually unwholesome habit or interest
wean him off his excessive drinking
settling his soldiers on the land … , weaning them from habits of violence —Geoffrey Carnall
Geoffrey Carnall 3
: to accustom to something from an early age
—used in the passive especially with on
students weaned on the Internet for research
I was weaned on greasepaint—Helen Hayes
Helen Hayesthe principles upon which he had been weaned—J. A. Michener
J. A. MichenerExamples of wean in a Sentence
The calves are weaned at an early age.
Recent Examples on the Web
In more recent years the bureau, which has about 80 staffers, has focused on developing critical minerals and oil and gas alternatives and weaning countries off Russian fossil fuels.
—Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration lifted some restrictions in 2021 but reinstated them after Putin's full-scale invasion in 2022 focused the minds of European governments to wean themselves off Russian fossil fuels.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Buttercup spent weeks raising the kitten, who has since been weaned but isn’t yet available for adoption, according to Davis and a past Facebook post.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
After they’re weaned, the parents bring food back to the den, which is when people often notice them because the pups are outside playing, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wean
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Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration lifted some restrictions in 2021 but reinstated them after Putin's full-scale invasion in 2022 focused the minds of European governments to wean themselves off Russian fossil fuels.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Buttercup spent weeks raising the kitten, who has since been weaned but isn’t yet available for adoption, according to Davis and a past Facebook post.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
After they’re weaned, the parents bring food back to the den, which is when people often notice them because the pups are outside playing, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wean
Cite this Entry
“Wean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wean. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wean
verb1
: to get a child or young animal used to food other than its mother's milk
2
: to turn (one) away from something long desired or followed
wean a person from a bad habit
Medical Definition
wean
transitive verb1
: to accustom (as an infant or young child) to take food otherwise than by nursing
2
: to detach usually gradually from a cause of dependence or form of treatment
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