Meaning & Definition of Wean in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To accustom an infant or other young mammal to food other than its mother's milk.

  Example Sentence: The mother began to wean her baby from breastfeeding.

• Definition: To withdraw from a habit or practice.

  Example Sentence: He tried to wean himself off caffeine.

Etymology

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

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• wean off: to gradually stop using or depending on something.
• weaned on: to be raised or conditioned to something since childhood.

Translations

• Spanish: destetar

• French: sevrer

• German: abstillen

• Russian: отучать

Related Words

• 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.