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 orbital system combines cell and tissue cultivation, fluid and media management, environmental control, processing, separation, harvesting, and quality monitoring in a closed-loop system. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026 This airborne cyborg—manufactured by XAG, an agricultural-technology company that also makes autonomous vehicles, sensor systems, and other smart-farming tools—is simultaneously an agent of cultivation and destruction. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 In a field whose research methods can at times diverge from standard and approved methods in other academic areas, what are the legitimate ethical limits, especially with respect to cultivation of insider sources and source compensation? — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 Court records show the wrongdoing began when Baldwin Park started permitting cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution in 2017. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cultivation

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