husband

verb

husbanded; husbanding; husbands

transitive verb

1

a

: to manage prudently and economically

a country that has husbanded its resources well

b

: to use sparingly : conserve

must husband one's strength

2

archaic : to find a husband for : mate

husbander noun

Synonyms of husband

• conserve

Examples of husband in a Sentence

The country has husbanded its resources well.

husband our natural resources so that our children and grandchildren may benefit from them

Recent Examples on the Web

The glimpse reminded voters that Davis, who was husbanding his resources for a late advertising push, was still in the race. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026

The glimpse reminded voters that Davis, who was husbanding his resources for a late advertising push, was still in the race. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026

Credibly balancing against China in the foreseeable future will require husbanding resources more carefully. —Ely Ratner, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2026

Emma Heming Willis is dedicating her new project to husband Bruce Willis. —Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing husband

• estranged husband
• husband and wife
• take a wife/husband

Kids Definition

husband

1 of 2 noun

hus·​band ˈhəz-bənd 

: a male partner in a marriage

husband

2 of 2 verb

: to manage carefully and economically : conserve

husbanded their resources

husbander noun

Etymology

Old English hūsbonda "master of a house," from early Norse hūsbondi, literally, "house owner" — related to house