upbringing

American  

[uhp-bring-ing] / ˈʌpˌbrɪŋ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the care and training of young children or a particular type of such care and training.

   His religious upbringing fitted him to be a missionary.

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upbringing British  

/ ˈʌpˌbrɪŋɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called: bringing-up.  the education of a person during his formative years

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Etymology

Origin of upbringing

First recorded in 1475–85; gerund of upbring “to rear children” (obsolete since the 16th century)

Example Sentences

The 75-year-old actor reflected on his upbringing, early career, and decades-long relationship with Hawn, 80, in a wide-ranging interview with the Wall Street Journal.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Mentoring played a massive part in my upbringing, and sports teachers and coaches were always held in great esteem.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The book explores the singer’s upbringing in Alabama and his rise to stardom, including performing with the Commodores.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

He grew up in Montevideo and credits his tough upbringing to shaping the player he is today.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

In this system, the students at the best colleges may be diverse—male and female and of various colors, religions, and hometowns—but they tend to share an upper-middle- class upbringing.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times