cultivate Hear it!

cultivate Definition

cul·ti·vate (kul′tə vāt′)

transitive verb cultivated -·vat′ed, cultivating -·vat′·ing

  1. to prepare and use (soil or land) for growing crops; till
  2. to break up the surface soil around (plants) in order to destroy weeds, prevent crusting, and preserve moisture
  3. to grow (plants, crops, fish, etc.) from seeds, bulbs, shoots, etc.
  4. to improve or develop (plants) by various horticultural techniques
  5. to improve by care, training, or study; refine to cultivate one's mind
  6. to promote the development or growth of; acquire and develop to cultivate a taste for music
  7. to seek to develop familiarity with; give one's attention to; pursue

Etymology: < ML cultivatus, pp. of cultivare < LL cultivus, tilled < L cultus: see cult

cultivate Synonyms

cultivate

v.

  1. To plant

    till, plow, work the soil, grow; see farm, grow 3, plant, plow 1.

  2. To educate

    nurture, refine, improve; see civilize, teach 1, 2.

  3. To encourage

    advance, further, foster, develop; see develop 1, encourage 1, promote 1.

cultivate Usage Examples

Object

  • cannabis: The gang used hydroponics growing systems to cultivate the cannabis.
cultivate Quotes

Cultivate simplicity,Coleridge.

—Lamb, Charles