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Definition of "lactose" []

  • A disaccharide, C12H22O11, found in milk, that may be hydrolyzed to yield glucose and galactose. (noun)
  • A white crystalline substance obtained from whey and used in infant foods, bakery products, confections, and pharmaceuticals as a diluent and excipient. Also called milk sugar. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "lactose" in a sentence
  • "Not having lactase results in lactose intolerance, the name for having symptoms when you drink or eat any dairy product that contains lactose, which is most of them."
  • "Most experts in the field, she said, do think many of the symptoms linked with what is called lactose intolerance are probably more related to other kinds of psychological issues that have not been addressed."
  • "Edible grade lactose is utilized in fine chemical applications, production of infant formulae, confectionery and food products."