cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: culture, refinement

2

: the act or art of cultivating or tilling

Synonyms of cultivation

• culture
• education
• civilization
• accomplishment
• refinement
• knowledge
• literacy
• manners

Examples of cultivation in a Sentence

people of cultivation appreciate the special experience that only live theater can provide

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare volcanic granite soils covered with a thin layer of calcium carbonate in this high-altitude desert in the foothills of the Andes offer a unique site for the cultivation of Malbec. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2026

Orchid Festival Fairchild is one of the country’s premier centers for orchid cultivation. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

That’s the cultivation of ambiguity that the president excels at. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Also native to Brazil, true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is tricky to find in commercial cultivation, but cuttings or rooted plants may be available from plant exchanges. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing cultivation

• co-cultivation
• self-cultivation

Rhymes for cultivation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or art of cultivating especially the soil

2

: refinement sense 2

Medical Definition

cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

: culture sense 2