nurtures; nurtured; nurturing
1
: to help (something or someone) to grow, develop, or succeed
Teachers should nurture their students' creativity.
a professor who nurtures any student who shows true interest in history
2
: to take care of (someone or something that is growing or developing) by providing food, protection, a place to live, etc.
The study looks at the ways parents nurture their children.
You have to carefully nurture the vines if you want them to produce good grapes.
3
: to hold (something, such as an idea or a strong feeling) in your mind for a long time
She nurtured a secret ambition to be a singer.
nurture a dream/grudge
formal
: the care and attention given to someone or something that is growing or developing
Members of the family helped in the nurture of the baby.
Is our character affected more by nature or by nurture? [=by the way we are treated and taught to behave when we are young]
Cite this Entry
“Nurture.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/nurture. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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