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

Or perhaps the novel is too neat a form to easily reflect mother’s messy experiences in the early days of parenting. —Ellyn Gaydos august 11, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025

By Jones is a writer with a strong focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025

The British actress, who shares daughters Willa and Delphine with ex-husband Joe Jonas, defended her parenting on social media after an Instagram user criticized her Aug. 4 post for not featuring her children, who are 5 and 3, respectively. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025

As members of Gen X and Millennials became parents, the general trend of having more money and time for children continued, resulting in elaborations of the concept of helicopter parenting. —Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 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