Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

suckling

1 American  
[suhk-ling] / ˈsʌk lɪŋ /

noun

  1. an infant or a young animal that is not yet weaned.

Suckling 2 American  
[suhk-ling] / ˈsʌk lɪŋ /

noun

  1. Sir John, 1609–42, English poet.

suckling 1 British  
/ ˈsʌklɪŋ /

noun

  1. an infant or young animal that is still taking milk from the mother

  2. a very young child

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Suckling 2 British  
/ ˈsʌklɪŋ /

noun

  1. Sir John. 1609–42, English Cavalier poet and dramatist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of suckling

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at suck, -ling 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But a pregnant or suckling female is especially ravenous and will continue to forage for two for up to 1 year after giving birth.

From Science Magazine • May 15, 2024

Prior studies have shown that non-nutritive suckling on a pacifier produces data that can be used to evaluate breastfeeding.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024

In 2015, a research team from two U.S. universities tested tunes incorporating feline-centric sounds that included purring and a pulse reminiscent of suckling.

From National Geographic • Jan. 2, 2024

Run by JM Nixon and Son, the farm had 140 suckling beef cattle as well as several holiday cottages and a riding school.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2023

It is an island that nestles like a suckling against the breast of Maine, but there are many of those.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.