nurturing

American  

[nur-cher-ing] / ˈnɜr tʃər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. providing food, protection, comfort, or support.

   Creating safe, nurturing places where all children can grow and develop their unique gifts is a responsibility of all adult members of a society.

---

noun

1. the act of providing food, protection, support, or encouragement.

   There's no substitute for what nurturing can do for a child.

2. the act or process of educating or training.

   We hope to build an ecosystem in this county that encourages incubation, innovation, and nurturing of entrepreneurs.

Etymology

Origin of nurturing

First recorded in 1425–75; nurtur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective sense; nurtur(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

“It took a lot of nurturing, a lot of time, a lot of work.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

"We live in a generation where it's very easy to be alone and you could get by being alone, but humans crave nurturing," Usman said.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

That has got to be one of the most vivid descriptions of a healthy relationship with money: You are nurturing the excess energy from all of the work you have done throughout the years.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

I’m a journalist and writer by trade, so I’ve refocused on nurturing my craft.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

She’s possessive in the most nurturing, big-sister way possible.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Related Words

• sustenance