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cul·ti·vate | \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 
\
\cultivated; cultivating
Definition of cultivate
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)
2a : 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
4 : to seek the society of : make friends with
looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
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Other Words from cultivate
cultivatable \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl \ adjective
\ 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web Russian president Vladimir Putin has cultivated a useful relationship with Morales.
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Max De Haldevang, Quartz, "Russia allegedly meddled in Bolivia’s controversial election," 16 Nov. 2019 In an administration that has seen senior officials arrive and depart with historic rapidity, Lighthizer has cultivated strong ties with the president, including on the golf links, and Vice President Pence.
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Washington Post, "Trump’s trade war general faces moment of truth," 15 Nov. 2019 In his long career, Joe Biden has cultivated a reputation for his authenticity.
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NBC News, "Jill Biden's message to Donald Trump: 'Stop it. My husband's going to beat you'," 11 Nov. 2019 Mr Son has cultivated an eccentric persona by making dramatic predictions about how technology will change the world and insisting his firm will last 300 years.
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The Economist, "Hard times for SoftBank," 7 Nov. 2019 Vogueworld Amal Clooney Proves a Good Dress Can Mean Business
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has cultivated a look that managed to toe the line between professional and fashion forward, polished and playful.
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Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Amal Clooney Proves a Good Dress Can Mean Business," 3 Nov. 2019 The garden has been continuously cultivated and enlarged for five centuries, with various landscape designers putting their own stamps on the property.
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New York Times, "The Parks That Made the Man Who Made Central Park," 30 Oct. 2019 For the last few years, Slack has steadily cultivated a stable of independent apps now numbering more 1,800.
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Michael J. Coren, Quartz at Work, "Slack’s latest grab for office dominance: workflow templates," 23 Oct. 2019 Nantucketians have cultivated cranberries since 1857.
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Caitlin Etherton, National Geographic, "These are the 7 best fall festivals in the United States," 15 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cultivate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cultivate
cultivate
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of cultivate
: to prepare and use (soil) for growing plants
: to grow and care for (plants)
: to grow or raise (something) under conditions that you can control
See the full definition for cultivate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
cultivate
verbcul·ti·vate | \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt \
\cultivated; cultivating
Kids Definition of cultivate
1 : to prepare land for the raising of crops
cultivate a field
2 : to raise or assist the growth of crops by tilling or by labor and care
cultivate corn
3 : to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to
He's trying to cultivate a better attitude.
4 : to seek the company and friendship of
As soon as Johnny began to cultivate Dove, he was surprised at the response.— Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
cultivate
transitive verbcul·ti·vate | \ ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt \
\cultivated; cultivating
Medical Definition of cultivate
: culture sense 1 viruses cultivated in brain tissue
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Comments on cultivate
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Time Traveler for cultivate
The first known use of cultivate was in 1588
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