nurse

noun

\ˈnərs

Definition of nurse

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse

b : a woman who takes care of a young child : dry nurse

2 : one that looks after, fosters, or advises Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.— Shakespeare

3 : 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

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

verb

nursed; nursing

Definition of nurse (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to nourish at the breast : suckle

b : to take nourishment from the breast of

2 : rear, educate

3a : to promote the development or progress of

b : to manage with care or economy nursed the business through hard times nursed a 1–0 lead

c : to take charge of and watch over

4a : to care for and wait on (someone, such as a sick person)

b : to attempt to cure by care and treatment

5 : to hold in one's memory or consideration nurse a grievance

6a : 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

intransitive verb

1a : to feed an offspring from the breast

b : to feed at the breast : suck

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

Other Words from nurse Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about nurse

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In 1966, the city of Chicago awoke to the shocking news that eight student nurses had been brutally slain during the night in a South Side dormitory. — BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 14 July 2018 Those interested in serving as a substitute teacher, secretary, custodian, food service worker, bus driver, bus attendant, school nurse or health assistant should submit an online application by July 27. — Staff Report, Post-Tribune, "Community news," 13 July 2018 In March of 2016, Joe Barin, a registered nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center, used about $3,000 of his own money to go on a medical mission trip to Jordan. — Donna Vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Advocate humanitarian award, scholarship fund spotlight Christ Hospital's medical relief work," 4 July 2018 Cathy Mitchell, a disabled registered nurse, suffers from a long list of injuries and diseases, including osteoarthritis, post-major lumbar surgery for ruptured discs, cervical scoliosis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. — Josephine Chu, USA TODAY, "Chronic pain patients, overlooked in opioid crisis, getting new attention from top at FDA," 2 July 2018 Crystal, who walks and talks like Joe, is a registered nurse and lab technician. — Vahe Gregorian, kansascity, "Chiefs legend Joe Delaney died a hero 35 years ago ... and later saved his widow, too," 30 June 2018 Epstein Seligsohn became a nurse; her daughter, too. — CBS News, ""Under One Roof," at NYC's Tenement Museum," 24 June 2018 According to the personal finance website BankRate.com, Kate worked as a registered nurse in the labor and delivery department (coincidentally) in her home state of Pennsylvania. — Eileen Reslen, Good Housekeeping, "Why Kate Gosselin's Net Worth Is Much Lower Than Other Reality TV Stars," 6 June 2018 Wells is a registered nurse and single mother to two teenage sons. — Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Houston's Christina Wells earns a standing ovation on 'America's Got Talent'," 5 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Ivan Perisic, who scored his side's equaliser and set up Mario Mandzukic's winner against England on Wednesday, is nursing a thigh injury. — Afp, chicagotribune.com, "Rakitic: Croatia will bring 'excess power and energy' to World Cup final," 13 July 2018 Speedy Ortiz frontwoman Sadie Dupuis is nursing a sore back. — David Brusie, BostonGlobe.com, "Fast times for Speedy Ortiz," 21 June 2018 So far, five UWM students are ready to begin nursing classes at MATC this fall, though there are more spots for other UWM students who want to enroll, Vrabec said. — Karen Herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lack of seats in nursing degree program at UWM no longer an obstacle for students with new MATC partnership," 3 July 2018 Leonard missed all but nine games this season while nursing right quadriceps tendinopathy. — Scooby Axson, SI.com, "Celtics Made Trade Offer For Kawhi Leonard in February," 13 June 2018 The entire ordeal took four hours, and onlookers posted to social media as Ellie happily nursed seven male pups and one female. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Travelers Watch as Service Dog Gives Birth to 8 Puppies at Tampa International Airport," 29 May 2018 Picturing a man in a suit and tie alone in a dark room, nursing a scotch, neat. — Greg Cote, miamiherald, "Hell Week: Why Roger Goodell's new NFL anthem-protest policy is blowing up in his face | Miami Herald," 25 May 2018 Roberts indicated Hill had not been able to spin many curveballs while nursing the finger injuries. — Andy Mccullough, latimes.com, "Dodgers' winning streak comes to an end as Roberts and Hill agree to disagree," 6 May 2018 At a park across the street from the church, women nursed babies, young boys kicked soccer balls on a cement basketball court, and children climbed on playground equipment. — Daniel González, azcentral, "'In God's hands': Why members of the migrant caravan left home for an uncertain future," 8 Apr. 2018

These 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.

History and Etymology for nurse

Noun

Middle English norice, norce, nurse, from Anglo-French nurice, from Late Latin nutricia, from Latin, feminine of nutricius nourishing — more at nutritious

Verb

Middle English nurshen to suckle, nourish, contraction of nurishen

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Dictionary Entries near nurse

Statistics for nurse

Last Updated

21 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for nurse

The first known use of nurse was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for nurse

nurse

noun

English 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

: a woman who is paid to take care of a young child usually in the child's home

nurse

verb

English 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

verb

nursed; 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 woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse

2 : 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