wean
verb (used with object)
to accustom (a child or young animal) to food other than mother's milk; cause to lose the need to suckle or turn to the mother for food.
weaned
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past participleof wean.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof wean.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
weanverb (used with object)to accustom (a child or young animal) to food other than mother's milk; cause to lose the need to suckle or turn to the mother for food.
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.
In response to the assessment by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the UN warned that until humanity weaned off fossil fuels, the planet would only push deeper into uncharted territory.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
Born into a nominally liberated time for women, our Gen X girlhood was a specific kind of confusing: Yes, we were weaned on “Free to Be You and Me.”
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
The coroner raised concerns that the doctor may have missed opportunities to put Cauchi back on medication after he was weaned off.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026
As January drew to a close, I weaned myself off the motivational videos.
From Slate ● Feb. 15, 2026
As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
