cultivation

noun

cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce cultivation (audio)
Synonyms of cultivationnext
1
: culture, refinement
2
: the act or art of cultivating or tilling

Synonyms of cultivation

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Examples of cultivation in a Sentence

people of cultivation appreciate the special experience that only live theater can provide
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.
The cultivation of this network of skin care providers serves as both advocates of the brand and an extension of the brand. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 26 June 2026 People with a cultivation mindset seek friction; people with an optimization mindset want their life to be frictionless. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Someone decides what counts as cultivation and what counts as nuisance, what gets watered and what gets pulled, what belongs in the planned bed and what must be removed before visitors arrive. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 The crash site was forest in 1944, but it was later excavated for rice cultivation, Fong told Jackson. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cultivation

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of cultivation was in 1553

Phrases Containing cultivation

Rhymes for cultivation

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Browse Nearby Words

cultivated pearl
cultivation
cultivator
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Cite this Entry

“Cultivation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cultivation

noun
cul·​ti·​va·​tion ˌkəl-tə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce cultivation (audio)
1
: the act or art of cultivating especially the soil
2
: refinement sense 2

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on cultivation

Nglish: Translation of cultivation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cultivation

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