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
While the grape was first approved for production as a single varietal wine in 2021, it has been cultivated in the Duero Valley since the Middle Ages and has been used in small amounts alongside Tempranillo as a blending grape, much the way Viognier is added to Syrah in the northern Rhône.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Podcasts, streaming programs and newsletters have fast become the tools of independent creators, who lack an old-school distribution system, but can easily cultivate fans and a community one subscriber at a time.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
By cultivating a workplace culture rooted in flexibility and support, Florida businesses can enhance employee satisfaction and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of expecting mothers and their babies — creating a ripple effect of inclusion and support for all employees.
—Rebecca L. Palmer, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
Loading your audio article More than a century ago, entrepreneur Anthony Chabot cultivated a eucalyptus grove in the Oakland hills, with the lumber transported across Skyline Boulevard to the Port of Oakland for homebuilding throughout the Bay Area.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cultivate 
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Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025
Podcasts, streaming programs and newsletters have fast become the tools of independent creators, who lack an old-school distribution system, but can easily cultivate fans and a community one subscriber at a time.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
By cultivating a workplace culture rooted in flexibility and support, Florida businesses can enhance employee satisfaction and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of expecting mothers and their babies — creating a ripple effect of inclusion and support for all employees.
—Rebecca L. Palmer, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
Loading your audio article More than a century ago, entrepreneur Anthony Chabot cultivated a eucalyptus grove in the Oakland hills, with the lumber transported across Skyline Boulevard to the Port of Oakland for homebuilding throughout the Bay Area.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cultivate
Dictionary Entries Near cultivate
Cite this Entry
“Cultivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate. Accessed 16 Feb. 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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