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

A week later, the would-be Bachelorette star had her parenting time increased from eight to 12 hours a week. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Part of parenting is preparing your kids to take responsibility for their own financial well-being. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

From your co-parent’s perspective, this likely feels less about extended learning and more about being excluded from an important parenting decision. — Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 28 June 2026

The new Disney-Pixar movie Toy Story 5 is less a cartoon than a brief for better parenting practices, and those parenting practices include children hanging onto their toys for as long as possible. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 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