parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈper-ən-tiŋ 

1

: the raising of a child by its parents

2

: the act or process of becoming a parent

3

: the taking care of someone in the manner of a parent

Synonyms

• parenthood
• raising
• maternity
• mothering

Examples of parenting in a Sentence

They share the responsibilities of parenting.

as the big day approaches, the expectant couple are starting to get worried about their fitness for parenting

Recent Examples on the Web

McGovern, who has a background producing reality TV shows like Bar Rescue, began creating parenting content online a few years ago. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

Cut to four years ago, when Homer still had a tuft of hair and a younger Bart was struggling to connect with Homer’s parenting style. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025

These Facebook parenting groups are taking it too far. —Sam Woodward, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

Without this cognitive translation, day-to-day stressors may dictate overall sense of well-being, or the mix and shifts between positive and negative parts of parenting may make life seem overall incoherent for these fathers. —Anthony Vaccaro, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parenting

• attachment parenting
• foster parenting

Kids Definition

parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ 

ˈper-

: the raising of a child by its parents

Medical Definition

parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ, ˈper- 

: the raising of a child by its parents