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
However, real estate value isn't built overnight; it's cultivated over years and often decades.
—Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Once known as the alligator pear, the avocado traces its history to southern Mexico, where the fruit, according to some experts, was first cultivated about 5,000 years ago.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
With a bushy crown of narrow, glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers, the species is cultivated and distributed beyond its native range as an ornamental shade tree.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
The combination of his roles as singer, songwriter, producer, fitness influencer, and fashion trendsetter has helped Wonho cultivate a diverse global fanbase ahead of this new album cycle.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
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Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Once known as the alligator pear, the avocado traces its history to southern Mexico, where the fruit, according to some experts, was first cultivated about 5,000 years ago.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
With a bushy crown of narrow, glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers, the species is cultivated and distributed beyond its native range as an ornamental shade tree.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
The combination of his roles as singer, songwriter, producer, fitness influencer, and fashion trendsetter has helped Wonho cultivate a diverse global fanbase ahead of this new album cycle.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cultivate
Cite this Entry
“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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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