Milk Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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milk

[mɪlk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

drink

An opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young.

Synonyms

cream, dairy, lactose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
milk	This term is used to refer to the basic white liquid produced by cows and other animals, as well as plant-based substitutes. It is commonly consumed as a beverage or used in cooking. I drink a glass of milk every morning. She added milk to her coffee.
dairy	This term encompasses all milk-based products, including milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt. It often refers to the industry or section in a store. She has a job at the local dairy farm. The dairy section is in the back of the supermarket.
lactose	This refers to the sugar found in milk and dairy products. The term is often used in discussions about dietary restrictions or allergies. He is lactose intolerant and cannot consume regular milk. Lactose-free products are available in many stores now.
cream	This refers to the thicker, fattier part of milk that rises to the top. It is used in food preparation and as a rich ingredient in desserts and sauces. He likes to put cream in his coffee. The recipe calls for a cup of heavy cream.

Examples of usage

she offered him a glass of milk
milk is a good source of calcium

^{Context #2 | Verb}

extract

Extract (something) from a container by squeezing or pressing it.

Synonyms

drain, extract, squeeze.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
milk	Primarily used when talking about getting milk from animals, especially cows. It can also mean taking advantage of a situation or extracting something fully. Every morning, the farmers milk the cows. He's trying to milk every last bit of information from the document.
extract	Commonly used when talking about removing something with care or effort, like a substance from a mixture or a piece of information from a larger context. They use a machine to extract oil from olives. The detective managed to extract the truth from the suspect.
drain	Often used when talking about removing liquid from something, like a container or an area. It can also have a negative connotation when used to describe feeling very tired after an activity. Please drain the pasta before serving. After the marathon, I felt completely drained.
squeeze	Typically used when talking about pressing something firmly, often to get liquid out of it. It can also be used metaphorically when trying to fit something into a tight space or situation. Please squeeze the lemon into the bowl. I had to squeeze through the crowded room to get to the exit.

Examples of usage

he milked the cow
milk the coconut for its juice

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'milk'

The word 'milk' originated from the Old English word 'meoluc', which itself came from Proto-Germanic 'meluks'. The source of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'melg-', meaning 'to wipe or rub'. The history of milk as a staple food source dates back thousands of years, with evidence of dairy farming found in ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,311, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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