cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: culture, refinement

2

: the act or art of cultivating or tilling

Synonyms

• accomplishment
• civilization
• couth
• culture
• polish
• refinement

Examples of cultivation in a Sentence

people of cultivation appreciate the special experience that only live theater can provide

Recent Examples on the Web

An important manifestation of our professional leadership is the cultivation and incubation of professional talents. —Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025

Fundraising Management Tools Donor cultivation and fundraising essentials are key to any nonprofit. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

Implementing tiered pricing structures, investing in water-efficient technologies, and encouraging the cultivation of less water-intensive crops could promote sustainability without severely impacting the agricultural sector. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025

While the cultivation of plants is central to Chelsea, the cultivation of client relationships is also paramount. —Ian King, CNBC, 22 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing cultivation

• co-cultivation
• self-cultivation

Rhymes for cultivation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or art of cultivating especially the soil

2

: refinement sense 2

Medical Definition

cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

: culture sense 2