breastfeed

verb

breast·​feed ˈbrest-ˌfēd How to pronounce breastfeed (audio)
variants or breast-feed
breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds

transitive verb

: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast

intransitive verb

1
: to breastfeed a baby
… more women are breastfeeding than ever before …Lauren Sandler
2
of a baby : to feed oneself by sucking milk from a mother's breast
breastfed adjective
or breast-fed
breastfed babies
breastfeeder noun
or breast-feeder
breastfeeding noun
or breast-feeding

Examples of breastfeed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s designed to provide a seamless transition between breastfeeding and sucking on a pacifier, so the nipple shape is more elongated and the mouth shield is wide and domed. Sarah Bradley, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 Over 90% of babies ages 6 to 23 months and pregnant and breastfeeding women are eating two or fewer food groups a day, according to the report from the Global Nutrition Cluster, a coalition of humanitarian groups. Doha Madani, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024 Accidental asphyxia is a rare but possible outcome if mothers fall asleep in bed with their infants while breastfeeding, according to the National Library of Medicine. Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2024 But antiretroviral therapy coverage among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV has plateaued. Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 For instance, some medications are not safe to use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Sherri Gordon, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2024 These regular checkups can also include breastfeeding and nutrition counseling that can increase the probability that a child will live past infancy. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Studies have shown that WIC increases the likelihood that children receive immunizations and that pregnant women receive prenatal care, and that new mothers who receive breastfeeding advice from WIC are more likely to nurse their babies. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 Fathers’ role in breastfeeding and infant sleep is key, study finds These numbers were high, and not just for biological fathers living inside the home, said Dr. Erlanger Turner, a licensed psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, via email. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breastfeed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of breastfeed was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near breastfeed

Cite this Entry

“Breastfeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breastfeed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breast-feed

verb
ˈbrest-ˌfēd
breast-fed
-ˌfed
; breast-feeding
: to feed a baby from a mother's breast

Medical Definition

breastfeed

verb
breast·​feed
variants or breast-feed
ˈbrest-ˌfēd
breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds

transitive verb

: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast

intransitive verb

1
: to breastfeed a baby
2
of a baby : to feed oneself by sucking milk from a mother's breast
breastfed adjective
or breast-fed
breastfed babies
breastfeeder noun
or breast-feeder
This class for first-time breastfeeders will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Reno (Nevada) Gazette-Journal
On average, infants who were exclusive breast-feeders continued to drink more as they got older … The Philadelphia Inquirer
breastfeeding noun
or breast-feeding

More from Merriam-Webster on breastfeed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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