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

Authorities eventually built multiple lactation rooms in the housing units. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025

Later, Holmes spoke to the prison's warden about allowing women to breastfeed privately and authorities eventually built multiple lactation rooms in the housing units in 2023. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025

Eventually, authorities created lactation rooms in 2023 for mothers at the prison. —Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025

Owners concerned whether or not their dog is experiencing a phantom pregnancy can look for the following symptoms: mammary development, lactation, enlarged belly, loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, nesting, being protective of small inanimate objects and restlessness or aggression. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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