parenting

1 of 2

noun

par·​ent·​ing ˈper-ən-tiŋ How to pronounce parenting (audio)
Synonyms of parentingnext
1
: the raising of a child by its parents
2
: the act or process of becoming a parent
3
: the taking care of someone in the manner of a parent

parenting

2 of 2

present participle of parent entry 2

Synonyms of parenting

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Noun

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Examples of parenting in a Sentence

Noun They share the responsibilities of parenting. as the big day approaches, the expectant couple are starting to get worried about their fitness for parenting
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The researchers did not assess parenting quality or childrenâs health, and the findings do not establish that parental cannabis use causes adverse child outcomes. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Just as in his examination of Captain Sully or his exploration of parenting or an episode about cloned puppies, Fielder is uninterested in the technical realities or the concrete, easily provable facts. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Parents put in the middle Laws may encourage parents to be overprotective, but parenting research is recommending the opposite. — Jennifer L. Brinkley, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 The parenting conversation about teens and phones is moving past the stopwatch. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parenting

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parenting was in 1918

Phrases Containing parenting

Browse Nearby Words

parenticide
parenting
parent-in-law
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenting. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

parenting

noun
par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ How to pronounce parenting (audio)
ˈper-
: the raising of a child by its parents

Medical Definition

parenting

noun
par·​ent·​ing ˈpar-ənt-iŋ, ˈper- How to pronounce parenting (audio)
: the raising of a child by its parents

More from Merriam-Webster on parenting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parenting

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