cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

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

ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• acquire
• develop
• form

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Within the guiding framework of people, product, and process, consider these five questions to help cultivate, broaden, or finetune innovation in your organization. —Quartz Creative For Baker Tilly, Quartz, 29 Nov. 2022

Jay vowed to replicate that camaraderie in the music world, both to help lift up musicians and to cultivate appreciation for music throughout the San Diego community. —Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2022

The exhibit centers on concert promoter Figurehead, which helped cultivate a music subculture that took in the sounds of Sonic Youth, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Drivin N Cryin, Jonathan Richman and others. —Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Sep. 2022

The efforts of the Portland Burmese community, though, helped cultivate the cuisine’s visibility enough to flourish elsewhere. —Max Decker And Kalia Yee, oregonlive, 7 Aug. 2022

Producer Dan Lin is launching a new nonprofit accelerator to help cultivate the next generation of BIPOC creators and entrepreneurs. —Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 July 2022

Yet, there is often little support to help players imagine themselves outside of their athletic identities and to cultivate alternative careers. —Tracie Canada, Scientific American, 6 Jan. 2023

Belser thinks harm-reduction strategies could cultivate safer ketamine use. —Delilah Friedler, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2023

Yes, Petrzela argues, exercise culture can cultivate our most consumeristic, myopic, individualistic and vain qualities. —Maggie Lange, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing cultivate

• co-cultivate

• co-cultivate

Kids Definition

cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

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

b

: culture entry 2

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 

cultivated; cultivating

: culture sense 1

viruses cultivated in brain tissue