nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

nourished; nourishing; nourishes

transitive verb

1

: nurture, rear

… to save my boy, to nourish and bring him up …

—Shakespeare

2

: to promote the growth of

no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion

—L. O. Coxe

nourished soccer as a sport in this country

needed to nourish his spiritual life

3

a

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed

Plants are nourished by rain and soil.

b

: maintain, support

their profits … nourish other criminal activities

—Beverly Smith

nourisher noun

Synonyms

• promote
• cultivate
• encourage
• nurture
• foster

Examples of nourish in a Sentence

Vitamins are added to the shampoo to nourish the hair.

a friendship nourished by trust

Recent Examples on the Web

Expect inspiration from Mayan traditions and Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural medicine, at stylish spas designed to nourish mind, body, and soul. —AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025

Yet then, its leaves became a lifeline, transforming into dishes that nourished us when nothing else could. —Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025

What Type Of Fertilizer To Use Choose a slow-release or low-nitrogen fertilizer that’s high in potassium to nourish the roots while discouraging new growth as the lawn prepares for winter. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025

Laura Geller New York Kajal Longwear Mascara This do-it-all mascara is designed to define, curl, lengthen, and volumize your lashes, all while pea protein peptides and shea butter work to condition and nourish them. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nourish

• flourish

Kids Definition

nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

1

: to promote the growth or development of

2

a

: to provide with food : feed

plants nourished by rain and soil

b

: to provide for : support, maintain

a friendship nourished by trust

Medical Definition

nourish

transitive verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish 

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed