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
But the fact that the positive changes also lined up with training intensity, stool transit time, and lactate metabolism suggests that exercise itself – not just what was consumed – may directly influence how the gut community functions. New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025 The mothers of a singleton pup may either overproduce milk or under-lactate, an article from Revival Animal Health said. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
While some women who are pregnant or who are lactating may want more years of data before getting the vaccine, doctors encourage them to get the protection. Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 23 Aug. 2025 Additionally, prey transfer from the adult male in the roost to the lactating female was also observed. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 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 4 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!