Wean

/wiːn/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To detach or free from a habitual dependency or activity.

She tried to wean herself off caffeine by switching to herbal tea.

To dispose of or rid oneself of a reliance on.

The therapist suggested ways to wean him from his compulsive behaviors.

To gradually deprive an infant or young animal of its mother's milk and to accustom it to food.

The mother decided to wean her baby when he turned six months old.

Middle English, from Old English 'wenian' meaning 'to accustom, lead away'.

wean off

to gradually stop using or depending on something.

weaned on

to be raised or conditioned to something since childhood.

weaning

the process of gradually withdrawing a young mammal from its mother's milk.

breastfeeding

the act of feeding a baby with milk from the breast.