parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈper-ən-tiŋ 

1

: the raising of a child by its parents

2

: the act or process of becoming a parent

3

: the taking care of someone in the manner of a parent

Synonyms

• parenthood
• raising
• maternity
• mothering

Examples of parenting in a Sentence

They share the responsibilities of parenting.

as the big day approaches, the expectant couple are starting to get worried about their fitness for parenting

Recent Examples on the Web

Kids will begin to understand the importance of good parenting as their dino develops into a creature to cherish… or a monster to fear. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025

Elsewhere in the filing, Kidman and Urban agreed to a parenting plan that gives Kidman 306 days per year with their daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, and Urban 59 days. —Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

Both mothers and fathers who work from home also spend more time with their youngsters, likely improving the quality of parenting overall, Bloom said. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Kidman requested the court approve a parenting plan for their daughters, which allocated 306 days per year with her and 59 days each year with Urban. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parenting

• attachment parenting
• foster parenting

Kids Definition

parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ 

ˈper-

: the raising of a child by its parents

Medical Definition

parenting

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ, ˈper- 

: the raising of a child by its parents