cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 
cultivated; cultivating
1
: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops
Some fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.
also
: to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)
2
a
: to foster the growth of
cultivate vegetables
cultivate coffee
b
: culture sense 2a
cultivate oysters for pearls
c
: to improve by labor, care, or study : refine
cultivate the mind
… cultivated a reputation as a hard-core wheeler-dealer …—
Kit Boss
Kit Boss4
: to seek the society of : make friends with
looking for influential people to cultivate as friends
Examples of cultivate in a Sentence
Prehistoric peoples settled the area and began to cultivate the land.
Some of the fields are cultivated while others lie fallow.
a plant that is cultivated for its fruit
They survived by cultivating vegetables and grain.
He has carefully cultivated his image.
She cultivated a taste for fine wines.
Recent Examples on the Web
The speed and strength of Republicans’ pushback Monday is a true testament to Powell’s ability to cultivate goodwill with lawmakers — and the very real risk the investigation poses to markets.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
There's some natural variability in their overall antioxidant content depending on whether blueberries are cultivated or wild, with the latter containing more antioxidants.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
As such, cultivating connections with players across the finish line (such as specialty leather shops and shoe cobblers) is of equal value—especially since most of those tweaks are made in-house.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
In her hands, cultivating counter-ideologies is a way for the vulnerable to hone their intuition, to trust themselves.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
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Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
There's some natural variability in their overall antioxidant content depending on whether blueberries are cultivated or wild, with the latter containing more antioxidants.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
As such, cultivating connections with players across the finish line (such as specialty leather shops and shoe cobblers) is of equal value—especially since most of those tweaks are made in-house.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
In her hands, cultivating counter-ideologies is a way for the vulnerable to hone their intuition, to trust themselves.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
Cite this Entry
“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cultivate
verb
cul·ti·vate
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt
cultivated; cultivating
1
a
: to prepare land for the raising of crops
b
: to loosen or break up the soil around (growing plants)
2
a
: to raise or assist the growth of by tilling or by labor and care
cultivate vegetables
cultivate oysters
b
3
: to improve or develop by careful attention, training, or study : devote time and thought to
cultivate one's mind
cultivate the arts
4
: to seek the company and friendship of
Medical Definition
cultivate
transitive verb
cul·ti·vate
ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt
cultivated; cultivating
: culture sense 1
viruses cultivated in brain tissue
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