cultivate

verb

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

3 : further, encourage cultivate the arts

4 : to seek the society of : make friends with looking for influential people to cultivate as friends

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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

But Hill, who has cultivated a tough-on-crime reputation, also has a complicated relationship with fellow Indiana Republicans, particularly Holcomb, and this week found himself with few allies. — Bryan Slodysko, chicagotribune.com, "Multiple women, including lawmaker, come forward with groping allegations against Indiana AG," 6 July 2018 In the meantime, Bradley fits with the professional, competitive ethos the Clips are cultivating as a franchise. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "NBA Free Agency 2018: Under-the-Radar Grades," 4 July 2018 In general, Hanekamp says that any crystal that cultivates a sense of abundance (of health, light, love, success) has a place in your home during the solstice. — refinery29.com, "Yes, There's A Perfect Crystal For The Summertime," 19 June 2018 Then again, one of the big reasons that depictions of naked women are considered controversial is because of a patriarchal history that’s cultivated fear and revulsion toward the nude female form, so IDK! — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "All the Ways I Feel About the New Yeezy Ads as a Feminist," 13 June 2018 At the time, the city’s waterfront had lost the natural oyster beds that once cultivated city harbors and provided a natural way to dispense wave forces. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "NatureStructure looks at how engineers and architects can work with, rather than against, the natural world.," 11 May 2018 Before the almond industry passed its own federal marketing order in 1950, fewer almonds than pecans were sold, according to pecan council chair Mike Adams, who cultivates 600 acres of pecan trees near Caldwell, Texas. — Emily Schmall, The Christian Science Monitor, "To withstand tariffs, farmers rebrand pecans to US consumers," 25 Apr. 2018 From urban greenways to gardens that cultivate native species; from recycling centers and sustainable energy, this quilt is meant to encourage participants to address topics that fall under the umbrella of Environmental Justice for Mother Earth. — Blake Ells, AL.com, "Earth Day at The Gardens is Saturday from 11-3 p.m.," 20 Apr. 2018 Ice skating is a sport that cultivates talent, specifically talent born in this millenia. — Justin Kirkland, Esquire, "To Get to Pyeongchang, Adam Rippon Had to Stay 'Delusional'," 9 Feb. 2018

These 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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Dictionary Entries near cultivate

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Last Updated

12 Oct 2018

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Time Traveler for cultivate

The first known use of cultivate was in 1588

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More Definitions for cultivate

cultivate

verb

English 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

verb

cul·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