lactation

/lækˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /lækˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /lak-ˈtā-shən/ (ame, mw)

lactation — noun

1. The natural biological process in which a woman or female mammal's body makes mi

1.名詞B2
釋義

The natural biological process in which a woman or female mammal's body makes milk inside her breasts (the milk-producing glands) so that she can feed her baby or young.

例句

After giving birth, Rosa's lactation began within a few hours, supplying milk for her newborn daughter.

collocation: lactation began

Right after giving birth, Maria's body began producing milk naturally, just as the nurse had explained.

collocation: body began producing milk

同義詞
  • milk secretion

    more technical, used in medical writing rather than everyday speech

  • milk production

    less formal than 'lactation', often used in farming and nutrition contexts

用法筆記

Lactation refers to the body's milk-making function (production and secretion), not to the act of feeding the baby at the breast. The feeding action itself is called breastfeeding or nursing.

常見錯誤

❌Lactation means feeding a baby at the breast.
✅Lactation means the production of milk inside the body.
💡Lactation describes the physiological process of milk production, not the act of breastfeeding.

2. The period of time after a baby is born during which the mother's body produces

2.名詞B2
釋義

The period of time after a baby is born during which the mother's body produces milk and she breastfeeds the baby, lasting from birth until the baby no longer needs breast milk (is weaned).

例句

During lactation, Amara needed extra calories and nutrients to maintain her milk supply.

collocation: during lactation

The lactation period for dairy cows on Guo's farm usually lasts about ten months after giving birth.

collocation: lactation period lasts

同義詞

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (the biological process), sense 2 names the whole time span — weeks or months — during which a mother produces milk and feeds her baby. The phrase 'lactation period' is a strong clue that sense 2 is intended.

常見錯誤

❌She is in lactation' (meaning she is breastfeeding right now).
✅She is in the lactation period' or 'She is breastfeeding.
💡'Lactation' in sense 2 refers to a phase lasting weeks or months, not a single feeding session.