Definition of cultivate
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)
2a : to foster the growth of cultivate vegetables cultivate coffeeb : culture 2a cultivate oysters for pearlsc : to improve by labor, care, or study : refine cultivate the mind … cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer … — Kit Boss
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 of cultivate from the Web
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The answers to the Haqqanis’ survival have much to do with qualities that Jalaluddin Haqqani, a former Taliban minister and friend of Osama bin Laden, cultivated and passed on to his surviving son and successor, Sirajuddin.
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For the past six years, one of your favorite drugstore beauty brands has been responsible for discovering and cultivating the best vlogger talent.
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HB 523 was signed in June 2016, but details about how medical marijuana would be licensed, cultivated and dispensed are still being worked out.
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The cadet program, discussed for a number of years, is designed to cultivate students interested in law enforcement in Harford County.
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Chen Xitong, who ruled Beijing in the years spanning the Tiananmen unrest, was purged in 1995—ostensibly for corruption but more likely for cultivating an independent power-base in the capital.
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If anything, this jam band has grown and cultivated a loyal fan base that follows them everywhere.
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Theseus, too, is transformed by the magic of the night, into someone who cultivates empathy and champions the power of the imagination when insisting that the retinue surrounding him give the mechanicals and their play a chance.
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Meanwhile, representatives who cultivate bipartisan relationships and co-sponsor bills are more successful at making laws than are partisans.
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.
Origin and Etymology of cultivate
Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere —see cult
CULTIVATE Defined for English Language Learners
cultivate
playDefinition of cultivate for English Language Learners
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: to prepare and use (soil) for growing plants
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: to grow and care for (plants)
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: to grow or raise (something) under conditions that you can control
CULTIVATE Defined for Kids
cultivate
playDefinition of cultivate for Students
cultivated
;cultivating
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
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about cultivate
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cultivate Spanish Central: Translation of cultivate Nglish: Translation of cultivate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cultivate for Arabic speakers
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