nursery

noun

nurs·​ery ˈnər-s(ə-)rē 

plural nurseries

1

obsolete : attentive care : fosterage

2

a

: a child's bedroom

b

: a place where children are temporarily cared for in their parents' absence

c

: day nursery

3

a

: something that fosters, develops, or promotes

b

: a place in which persons are trained or educated

4

: an area where plants are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale

5

: a place where young animals grow or are cared for

Synonyms of nursery

• center
• nest
• seminary
• hothouse

Examples of nursery in a Sentence

She still needs to decorate the nursery before the baby comes.

We get our flowers from a local nursery.

Recent Examples on the Web

His next step is to check with nurseries to see which agave varieties are available and to weigh the risks of trying something new. — Lizzie Kane july 26, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026

During Mexico’s offseason for sea turtle nesting, from October through April, families can also accompany staff members at the property’s on-site nursery for turtle releases. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026

On Wednesday, University of Miami researchers decided to move some of their most important old-stock Elkhorn corals from their three nurseries offshore of Virginia Key and bring them to the safety of their onshore aquariums. — Alex Harris july 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Nancy Trautz-Awot, horticulturist at Burpee, a nursery and online retailer selling flowers, vegetables, fruits, and tree plants and seeds, as well as gardening accessories. — Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nursery

• day nursery
• nursery rhyme
• nursery school
• nursery slope

Rhymes for nursery

• bursary
• cursory
• anniversary

Kids Definition

nursery

noun

nurs·​ery ˈnərs-(ə-)rē 

plural nurseries

1

a

: a child's bedroom

b

: a place where children are temporarily cared for in their parents' absence

2

: a place where plants (as trees or shrubs) are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks in grafting, or for sale

Medical Definition

nursery

noun

nurs·​ery ˈnərs-(ə-)rē 

plural nurseries

: the department of a hospital where newborn infants are cared for