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
Ference has cultivated thousands of followers across Instagram and Facebook by posting social calendars of events at the Birdcage, Bloom OTR and other local LGBTQ+ friendly spots.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 29 June 2024
But there is concern about the spread of illiberal states like Viktor Orban’s Hungary, where the rule of law, political opposition, freedom of expression and foreign nonprofits have come under fire, while ties with Russia and China have been cultivated.
—Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Pino, twice married and the father of four, has cultivated his political and business savvy since his days as president of Latin Builders in 1990.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 28 June 2024
Though coffee was cultivated around the world from Java to Ethiopia to Haiti, Brazil had been the main supplier to the United States.
—Bronwen Everill, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cultivate 
Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 29 June 2024
But there is concern about the spread of illiberal states like Viktor Orban’s Hungary, where the rule of law, political opposition, freedom of expression and foreign nonprofits have come under fire, while ties with Russia and China have been cultivated.
—Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Pino, twice married and the father of four, has cultivated his political and business savvy since his days as president of Latin Builders in 1990.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 28 June 2024
Though coffee was cultivated around the world from Java to Ethiopia to Haiti, Brazil had been the main supplier to the United States.
—Bronwen Everill, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cultivate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cultivate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cultivate
Cite this Entry
“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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