cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: culture, refinement

2

: the act or art of cultivating or tilling

Synonyms of cultivation

• culture
• education
• civilization
• accomplishment
• refinement
• knowledge
• literacy
• manners

Examples of cultivation in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Although Merlot is included in this first vintage, Alessandro hints that the blend may change over time, as cultivation of Merlot has become challenging as growing conditions have evolved with climate change. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

The bear-resistant container was invented to arrest the inadvertent cultivation of problem bears. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026

Study Unprompted Giving Increases Look at donors who increased their giving without a major cultivation push and work backward. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Long before today’s visitors made their way to Wudang, the mountain drew people seeking solitude and spiritual cultivation. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

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