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milkman

American  
[milk-man] / ˈmɪlkˌmæn /

noun

  • milkmen
    plural
  1. a person who sells or delivers milk.


milkman British  
/ ˈmɪlkmən /

noun

  1. a man who delivers or sells milk

  2. a man who milks cows; dairyman

"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

Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of milkman

First recorded in 1580–90; milk + man

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.

See Examples For:

Rumour had it Roly Gregoire had become a bus driver, a milkman or even a DJ.

From BBC May 27, 2026

When Sting was born Gordon Sumner in 1951, the son of a milkman and a hairdresser, the North East still had a proud tradition of shipbuilding.

From BBC Jun. 10, 2025

A third, less observable source was more private and personal: When Goode’s first child was born, the milkman arrived at the doorstep almost daily bearing a fresh Alta Dena bottle.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 27, 2025

In one corner, a lawyer and police officers joked with a milkman who had been accused more than a decade ago of selling adulterated products.

From New York Times Jan. 13, 2024

And I tell her how Uncle Pat doesn’t want me anymore and how they put Mr. Timoney in the City Home for laughing just because Macushla bit the postman, the milkman and a passing nun.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Return from home: Businesses own the reusable containers, which logistics providers pick up from people’s homes and then transport to a washing facility so they can be used again — much like milkmen of old.

From Salon May 2, 2024

Potential customers were so hungry for milk, eggs and other refrigerator staples that they have been stalking the milkmen.

From Washington Times Apr. 11, 2020

“It’s not our proudest moment rockin’ these all-white milkmen jerseys,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

From Seattle Times Aug. 24, 2019

These travellers come to dress up as priests, nuns, bishops, housekeepers, Elvis impersonators, milkmen, hairy babies, bricks and giant rabbits – and to celebrate the anarchic genius of cult 90s television series Father Ted.

From The Guardian Jun. 22, 2016

There were coachmen, storekeepers, and milkmen; later a few municipal employees and distinguished ladies made a discreet appearance, slinking along the side walls of the house to keep from being recognized.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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