cultivate

verb

cul·​ti·​vate ˈkəl-tə-ˌvāt 

cultivated; cultivating

transitive verb

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

3

: further, encourage

cultivate the arts

4

: to seek the society of : make friends with

looking for influential people to cultivate as friends

cultivatable

ˈkəl-tə-ˌvā-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• acquire
• develop
• form

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

Newsom has devoted much of his second term as governor to cultivating national media attention, especially from Democrat-leaning outlets such as MSNBC. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

The devastation that wiped out the dinosaurs created ideal conditions for various fungi to thrive, and ants actually began to cultivate fungi. —Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024

Hanan Townshend’s score, with its heavy, rhythmic breathing and ethereal tones, cultivates a constant atmosphere of unease. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024

According to Patten, there are a few key areas where leaders can invest their time and energy to cultivate a thriving culture built to sustain long-term success. —Serenity Gibbons, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin cultivatus, past participle of cultivare, from cultivus cultivable, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere — see cult

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cultivate

• co-cultivate

Kids 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

: culture entry 2

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