bring up

verb

brought up; bringing up; brings up
Synonyms of bring upnext

transitive verb

1
: to bring (a person) to maturity through nurturing care and education
2
: to cause to stop suddenly
3
a
: to bring to attention : introduce
b
computers : to cause (something, such as a file or picture) to appear on a computer screen
… you can make any picture that it displays into wallpaper by right-clicking with the arrow over the art to bring up a box with a "Set as wallpaper" choice.— Barry Popik
4
: vomit

intransitive verb

: to stop suddenly

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of bring up in a Sentence

it takes an immense commitment and a lot of love to bring up a child properly I hate to bring this up, but we're running short of money.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another, who has taken calls from dozens of constituents over the issue, brought up that Jewish organizations have a long track record of opposing the movement to boycott Israel — which makes starting a boycott in their own backyard somewhat awkward. — Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025 Eric Weldon-Schilling becomes the new #Jeopardy champ, as 4-gm winner Ashley Chan brought up the rear. — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 Williams had been brought up in a modest suburban home in Largo, Florida, where a slab of concrete in the back yard still bears his child-size footprints. — Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are trying to bring up the bipartisan health care package from December as a stand-alone bill, but there is not much interest from Republicans. — Peter Sullivan, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bring up

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bring up was in the 14th century

Rhymes for bring up

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Browse Nearby Words

bring to trial
bring up
bring up short
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bring up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bring%20up. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

bring up

verb
1
: to bring to maturity through care and education
bring up a child
2
: to bring to attention : introduce
I hate to keep bringing this up

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on bring up

Nglish: Translation of bring up for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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