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 of parenting

• 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

This is a moment where co-parenting becomes something more. —Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026

Gorden has a fiance who is helping with parenting and her son Caiden, now in middle school, has grown into a sweet, empathetic boy. —Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

The birds are known to leave their eggs in other females’ nests—outsourcing the parenting of the young to another bird. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 May 2026

That firm parenting style came with a clear household rule that her sons were expected to respect the rules under her roof until adulthood. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

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