What does suckling mean?
Suckling is a noun and verb associated with young mammals that are still receiving milk from their mothers. As a noun, it usually describes an unweaned calf, lamb, pig, or other young animal; as a verb, it describes the act of nursing or feeding in this way. The term is especially common in agriculture, animal husbandry, and descriptions of livestock, though it can also be used more generally for mammalian young. Suckling implies continued nourishment directly from the mother rather than feeding on herbage, milk replacer, or solid food. Its use gives a scene a clear sense of dependence, youth, and natural development. In older or more literary contexts, the word can also refer to a human infant being fed at the breast, but in contemporary English it is most strongly associated with young farm animals.
A young mammal, especially a calf, lamb, or pig, that is fed by its mother's milk.
"The suckling rested beside its mother in the warm barn."
Common chiefly in livestock and animal-husbandry contexts.
To suck milk at the breast, or to feed a young mammal in this way.
"The ewe calmly suckled her lamb."
The verb is usually transitive when describing a mother feeding her young, and intransitive when describing the young animal's action.
The plural is rare and is chiefly used when referring collectively to several young animals still being nursed.
"The young sucklings followed their mothers across the field."
A suckling is still receiving its mother's milk directly, so the word captures the earliest stage of a mammal's life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suckling come from?
The word is formed from the verb suckle, which comes from Middle English suken, related to Old English sugan, meaning to suck. The modern form reflects the development of the suffix -le and the verb ending -ing. The same Germanic root underlies other forms connected with sucking, including the basic English word suck.
Related word forms
How suckling is actually used
The word is especially associated with livestock and animal husbandry. It is more literary or technical than the general terms 'nursing' or 'feeding' when referring to a young animal.