To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈnərs 
\
\Definition of nurse
(Entry 1 of 3)
1 : a person who cares for the sick or infirm specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health — compare licensed practical nurse, registered nurse
2a : a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse
b : a woman who takes care of a young child : dry nurse
3 : one that looks after, fosters, or advises
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.— Shakespeare
4a : a worker form of a social (see social entry 1 sense 4b) insect (such as an ant or a bee) that cares for the young
b : a female mammal used to suckle (see suckle sense 1a) the young of another
a nurse cow
nurse
verbnursed; nursing
Definition of nurse (Entry 2 of 3)
1a : to nourish at the breast : suckle
b : to take nourishment from the breast of
2a : to care for and wait on (someone, such as a sick person)
b : to attempt to cure by care and treatment
3a : to manage with care or economy
nursed the business through hard times nursed a 1–0 lead
b : to promote the development or progress of
c : to take charge of and watch over
4 : to hold in one's memory or consideration
nurse a grievance
5a : to use, handle, or operate carefully so as to conserve energy or avoid injury or pain
nurse a sprained ankle
b : to use sparingly
c : to consume slowly or over a long period
nurse a cup of coffee
1a : to feed at the breast : suck
b : to feed an offspring from the breast
2 : to act or serve as a nurse
Nurse
biographical name\ ˈnərs \
\Definition of Nurse (Entry 3 of 3)
Sir Paul Maxime 1949– British geneticist
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of nurse in a Sentence
Noun
The nurse will take your blood pressure before the doctor sees you. Nurse, may I have some water? Verb
She is nursing her son through his illness.
The couple nursed the business through hard times.
He nursed the farm back to productivity.
The team nursed a 1–0 lead until the last inning.
The dog nursed her puppies.
The baby nursed for several months.
The puppies nursed for eight weeks.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Byrd grew up in Southern California, the daughter of an accountant dad and nurse mother, both of whom immigrated from the Philippines as adults.
—
Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "In ever-changing Bay Area, Coast Guard captain has complex assignment," 4 Jan. 2020 Raised by a dermatologist dad and nurse mom, Lee — who also oversees her skincare line SLMD and just released her new book Put Your Best Face Forward — never dreamed of stardom.
—
Melody Chiu, PEOPLE.com, "How Dr. Pimple Popper Sandra Lee Became an Accidental Celebrity," 3 Jan. 2020 Last year, service workers at the University of California and nurses at the University of Chicago went on strike.
—
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, "Graduate students at Harvard end strike but are still waiting on pay raises, new benefits," 2 Jan. 2020 Surrounded by a chorus of medics and nurses, the adult Kay (Mr Grässle) lies in a catatonic state.
—
The Economist, "A new retelling of “The Snow Queen” is aimed squarely at adults," 31 Dec. 2019 Australian nurse Sister Elizabeth Kenny, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, Ethel Kennedy, Mother Teresa, and Margaret Thatcher have also topped the list.
—
Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Presidents Obama and Trump tie for Most Admired Man in 2019," 30 Dec. 2019 Most direct patient care at UTH is provided not by nurses or orderlies, but family members.
—
Oliver Staley, Quartz Africa, "Zambia has 17 million people, a stroke epidemic, and no neurologists," 30 Dec. 2019 Because student-loan borrowers are in specialty careers such as teachers, nurses or even veterinarians, the contributions to the common good could be staggering.
—
Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: DNA privacy concerns; Loan relief for the common good; U.S. citizens paying unfairly; Insulting late Rep. Dingell a new low for president (12/27/19)," 27 Dec. 2019 These thoughts, say experienced nurses on the floor, often lead to moments of self-reflection, doubt and a measure of fear.
—
oregonlive, "On Christmas, a heart surgeon and his family offer a different kind of healing at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center," 24 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Browns at Cardinals: Key injuries Browns: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin) is dealing with a nagging groin injury, while WR Jarvis Landry (hip) is nursing a sore hip.
—
Joe Williams, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals odds, picks and best bets," 12 Dec. 2019 Reich ruled out the star receiver, who will miss his sixth game of the season and second in a row while nursing a calf injury.
—
Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Marlon Mack, Parris Campbell return to Colts offense in need of weapons," 6 Dec. 2019 The senior is expected to shoulder more responsibilities while Julien Hunter nurses a leg injury.
—
David J. Kim, The Courier-Journal, "Can Silver Creek defend the Class 3A state title? Plus, a look at the loaded Class 4A," 25 Nov. 2019 The coach said this about running it 17 times and throwing it four times in the final 19 minutes while nursing a four-point lead that expanded to an 11-point lead on one of those throws, a 28-yard touchdown from Fields to Chris Olave.
—
Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, "Ohio State coach Ryan Day channeled Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer to beat Penn State," 24 Nov. 2019 Billy Price is starting at left guard and Alex Redmond could to start at right guard while John Miller is still nursing a groin injury.
—
Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, "How the Bengals plan to counter Aaron Donald: 'Arguably the best player in the NFL'," 25 Oct. 2019 Starter Tommy Stevens missed the Kentucky game while nursing a shoulder injury on his throwing arm, but was throwing in practice early this week, Moorhead said.
—
Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Auburn vs. Mississippi State 2019 live stream; time, TV channel, odds, watch online," 28 Sep. 2019 To be fair, many of the games without Green came with Jeff Driskel under center while Andy Dalton nursed a thumb injury, but the fact remains that Boyd thrived alongside a healthy Green.
—
Bennie Contrino, Sports Illustrated, "Tyler Boyd's 2018 Season Was No Fluke," 20 June 2019 Elfo wants to spread his naive brand of merriment while nursing a serious crush on Bean.
—
Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Disenchantment review: Groening’s new Netflix toon is off to a bloody good start," 7 Aug. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nurse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for nurse
nurse
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of nurse
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people and who usually works in a hospital or doctor's office
old-fashioned : a woman who is paid to take care of a young child usually in the child's home
nurse
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of nurse (Entry 2 of 2)
: to take care of or help (someone who is sick or injured)
: to give special care or attention to (something) : to try to keep (something) from failing
: to feed (a baby or young animal) with milk from the mother's body
See the full definition for nurse in the English Language Learners Dictionary
nurse
noun\ ˈnərs \
\Kids Definition of nurse
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a person skilled or trained in caring for sick or injured people
2 : a woman employed for the care of a young child
nurse
verbnursed; nursing
Kids Definition of nurse (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to feed at the breast : suckle
2 : to take care of (as a young child or a sick person)
She nursed me back to health.
3 : to treat with special care or attention
Nurse that ankle until it's all healed.
nurse
noun\ ˈnərs \
\Medical Definition of nurse
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a person who cares for the sick or infirm specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health — see licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse
2 : a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse
nurse
verbnursed; nursing
Medical Definition of nurse (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : to nourish at the breast : suckle
b : to take nourishment from the breast of : suck milk from
2a : to care for and wait on (as an injured or infirm person)
b : to attempt a cure of (as an ailment) by care and treatment
1a : to feed an offspring from the breast
b : to feed at the breast : suck
2 : to act or serve as a nurse
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on nurse
What made you want to look up nurse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Intact Latin Quiz
- What did focus mean in Latin?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Intact Latin Quiz
What did each of these words mean to ancient Romans?
Take the quiz - The Eponym Quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Bee Cubed
Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.
Play the game
Share nurse
Time Traveler for nurse
The first known use of nurse was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century