suckle

[suhk-uhl]

verb (used with object)

suckled, suckling 

1. to nurse at the breast or udder.

2. to nourish or bring up.

3. to put to suck.

verb (used without object)

suckled, suckling 

1. to suck at the breast or udder.

suckle

/ ˈsʌkəl /

verb

1. to give (a baby or young animal) milk from the breast or (of a baby, etc) to suck milk from the breast

2. (tr) to bring up; nurture

Other Word Forms

• unsuckled adjective
• suckler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suckle¹

1375–1425; late Middle English sucklen; suck, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of suckle¹

C15: probably back formation from _suckling

Example Sentences

I stared at Noah’s bobbing Adam’s apple as he suckled at his bottle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The other two are named Romulus and Remus, after the mythical founders of Rome said to have been suckled by a she-wolf as infants.

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Mazakpwe cited a range of lactation issues mothers can face, from sore nipples to babies born too sick or too weak to suckle and stimulate milk production.

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“There is no food or water. Sometimes I have nothing to give the kids,” she said as her 14-month-old suckled on her deflated breast.

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I watched as a ewe suckled two lambs that she had adopted in this way.

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