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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.

Roast pork belly redolent and tender as Castilian suckling pig.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

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

After clinical assessments, parents were provided the opportunity to introduce the modified pacifier for a 60 second measurement of their infant's intraoral suckling vacuum.

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

"You mew like a suckling babe," his brother hissed at him.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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.