What does "colostrum" mean?
A form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth.
Colostrum
/kəˈlɒstɹəm/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth.
- Grammar: colostrum is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: colostral milk, colostrum supplement, discharge, first milk.
- Useful contrasts: mature milk, regular milk.
- Usage evidence: If we gave priority to the veal and take very little colostrum, it passes. The man forgets himself, alas!
How to use "colostrum"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "colostrum" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "colostrum" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "colostrum" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "colostrum" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "colostrum" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "colostral milk" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "colostrum", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. uncountable, usually
"The researchers isolated the antibodies from the cow's colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, which has very high antibody concentrations. They gave these antibodies, extracted from the colostrum, to 10 volunteers and gave another 10 volunteers extracts from colostrum of cows that were not immunized against the traveler's diarrhea bacteria."
- 2 milky fluid secreted for the first day or two after parturition wordnet
- 3 A mixture of turpentine and egg yolk, formerly used as an emulsion. uncountable, usually
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
mature milkregular milk
Example
"If we gave priority to the veal and take very little colostrum, it passes. The man forgets himself, alas!"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "colostrum"?
Common synonyms include: colostral milk, colostrum supplement, discharge, first milk, foremilk, gleet.
How do you use "colostrum" in a sentence?
If we gave priority to the veal and take very little colostrum, it passes. The man forgets himself, alas!
How do you pronounce "colostrum"?
Pronounced /kəˈlɒstɹəm/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin colostrum, of uncertain origin.