cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 
cultivated; cultivating
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
Kit Boss4
: to seek the society of : make friends with
looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
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
As a media personality, Bongino spent years cultivating an impressive following on the right, many of whom remain behind him in this current fight.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Doctor Donald Trump's Witness Move Fails in Gavin Newsom Case
Trump has cultivated a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
While coffee beans originated in ninth-century Ethiopia, the plant wasn’t cultivated and brewed into the drink the world has come to know and love until the 15th century in Yemen, according to NESCAFÉ.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
The purpose of this garden, according to the park, was to cultivate and sell flowers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
Doctor Donald Trump's Witness Move Fails in Gavin Newsom Case
Trump has cultivated a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
While coffee beans originated in ninth-century Ethiopia, the plant wasn’t cultivated and brewed into the drink the world has come to know and love until the 15th century in Yemen, according to NESCAFÉ.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
The purpose of this garden, according to the park, was to cultivate and sell flowers.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
Cite this Entry
“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt
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
b
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
cultivated; cultivating
: culture sense 1
viruses cultivated in brain tissue
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