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 Today, about 60 Key Largo tree cactuses are cultivated at two nurseries in Florida while more than 1,000 seeds are kept in storage at Fairchild and at an Agriculture Department seed bank in Colorado. Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 13 July 2024 The plan is to find some open land in Key Largo in the next few years and replant the fragments botanists are currently cultivating. Alex Harris, Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2024 Photo: Courtesy of Netflix How important is cultivating a social media presence in today’s real estate world? Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 12 July 2024 The Hungarian leader and Trump have cultivated a close relationship, with Orbán visiting Mar-a-Lago in March. Jennifer Jacobs and Alberto Nardelli / Bloomberg, TIME, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cultivate 

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 27 Jul. 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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