nurse

1 of 2

noun

ˈnərs 

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

2

a

: 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

4

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

nursed; nursing

transitive verb

1

a

: to nourish at the breast : suckle

b

: to take nourishment from the breast of

2

a

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

b

: to attempt to cure by care and treatment

3

a

: 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

5

a

: 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

6

: rear, educate

intransitive verb

1

a

: to feed at the breast : suck

b

: to feed an offspring from the breast

2

: to act or serve as a nurse

nurser noun

Synonyms

Noun

• nanny
• nannie
• sitter

Verb

• mother
• heal
• treat
• minister (to)
• administer (to)

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

The program under scrutiny – called Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF – allows Americans in public service careers (such as nurses, firefighters and some nonprofit professions) to have their student debt canceled after a decade of on-time payments. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 July 2025

There were also bruises on his arms, legs and neck, the nurse said. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025

Verb

Verstappen was nursing his tires — but remained on the racing line — as Russell was approaching fast behind. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2025

In addition to eating solid food, the pups were likely still nursing milk from their mother, according to the researchers. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing nurse

• charge nurse
• circulating nurse
• dry nurse
• licensed practical nurse
• licensed vocational nurse
• nurse aide
• nurse anesthesiologist
• nurse anesthetist
• nurse-midwife
• nurse practitioner
• nurse's aide
• nurse shark
• practical nurse
• registered nurse
• scrub nurse
• staff nurse
• visiting nurse
• wet nurse

Rhymes for nurse

• curse
• hearse
• purse
• terse
• vers
• verse
• worse
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse

Kids Definition

nurse

1 of 2 noun

ˈnərs 

1

: a woman who has the care of a young child

2

: a person skilled or trained in caring for the sick and in maintaining good health in those who are not sick and who works either independently or under the supervision of a physician

3

: a worker of a social insect (as an ant or bee) that cares for the young

nurse

2 of 2 verb

nursed; nursing

1

: to feed at the breast : suckle

2

: rear entry 1 sense 3b, educate

3

: to manage with care or economy

nursed the business through hard times

4

: to care for and wait on (as a young child or sick person)

nursed me back to health

5

: to hold in one's memory

nurse a grudge

6

: to treat with special care

nursed the car over the rough road

nurser noun

Medical Definition

nurse

1 of 2 noun

ˈnərs 

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

2 of 2 verb

nursed; nursing

transitive verb

1

a

: to nourish at the breast : suckle

b

: to take nourishment from the breast of : suck milk from

2

a

: 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

intransitive verb

1

a

: to feed an offspring from the breast

b

: to feed at the breast : suck

2

: to act or serve as a nurse

Biographical Definition

Nurse

biographical name

ˈnərs 

Sir Paul Maxime 1949–     British geneticist