cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce cultivate (audio)
cultivated; cultivating

transitive verb

1
: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops
Some fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.
also : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)
2
a
: to foster the growth of
cultivate vegetables
cultivate coffee
b
: culture sense 2a
cultivate oysters for pearls
c
: to improve by labor, care, or study : refine
cultivate the mind
cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer …Kit Boss
3
: further, encourage
cultivate the arts
4
: to seek the society of : make friends with
looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
cultivatable adjective

Examples of cultivate in a Sentence

Prehistoric peoples settled the area and began to cultivate the land. Some of the fields are cultivated while others lie fallow. a plant that is cultivated for its fruit They survived by cultivating vegetables and grain. He has carefully cultivated his image. She cultivated a taste for fine wines.
Recent Examples on the Web Through an elaborate system of volunteer moderators, Reddit allows its communities—called subreddits or subs—to cultivate their own rules, cultures, and protections. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Sure, TikTok has cultivated a culture and community that no other platform has come close to replicating. Kate Lindsay, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 Khaled Meshal Once the leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshal is now in charge of the group’s diaspora office, cultivating support for Hamas abroad, including among Palestinian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. Cate Brown, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 This model of education, cultivated by Renaissance thinkers and the Catholic Church alike, was common among European élites for centuries. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Regardless, Johnson has started to cultivate a relationship with the former president since assuming the mantle as speaker. USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 Just the act of sitting together, discussing a tough project, or celebrating an achievement can help cultivate camaraderie. Diane Swint, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 Her fearless self-expression through vibrant colors and patterns, coupled with her status as the oldest figure in the room—a feat that is no easy task in the realm of fashion—set her apart, serving as an inspiration to cultivate a distinct brand identity. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 This practice can help cultivate self-compassion and forgiveness for past mistakes or regrets. Confidence. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cultivate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere — see cult

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cultivate was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near cultivate

Cite this Entry

“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cultivate

verb
cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce cultivate (audio)
cultivated; cultivating
1
a
: to prepare land for the raising of crops
b
: to loosen or break up the soil around (growing plants)
2
a
: to raise or assist the growth of by tilling or by labor and care
cultivate vegetables
cultivate oysters
3
: to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to
cultivate one's mind
cultivate the arts
4
: to seek the company and friendship of

Medical Definition

cultivate

transitive verb
cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce cultivate (audio)
cultivated; cultivating
: culture sense 1
viruses cultivated in brain tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on cultivate

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