cultivation

American  

[kuhl-tuh-vey-shuhn] / ˌkʌl təˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

• cultivations
  plural

1. the act or art of cultivating.

2. the state of being cultivated.

3. culture; refinement.

   Synonyms:

   taste, breeding, gentility

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cultivation British  

/ ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. agriculture

   1. the planting, tending, improving, or harvesting of crops or plants

   2. the preparation of ground to promote their growth

2. development, esp through education, training, etc

3. culture or sophistication, esp social refinement

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Usage

What does cultivation mean? Cultivation is the act of growing something or improving its growth, especially crops. Cultivation can also be used in a more figurative way to refer to the same kind of process, except that the thing being grown or improved is often an abstract thing, such as a business or a friendship. Cultivation is a noun form of the verb cultivate. The literal sense of cultivation is most often used in the context of agriculture, but it can also refer to things being grown in a laboratory. Its figurative sense can apply to the development of many different things, such as relationships, skills, and even cultures. Example: The rich soil in this region is ideal for the cultivation of a variety of crops.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncultivation
  noun
• overcultivation
  noun
• precultivation
  noun
• recultivation
  noun
• self-cultivation
  noun
• uncultivation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cultivations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cultivation

First recorded in 1690–1700; cultivate + -ion

Explanation

Cultivation is the act of caring for or raising plants. Your desire to grow your own fruits and vegetables in the backyard means you'll be engaged in some heavy cultivation. The word cultivation is most often used to talk about the ways that farmers take care of crops. However, in a more general sense, the verb cultivate means to improve or train someone or something. You could participate in the cultivation of your little brother by paying for him to take tango lessons and teaching him how to play chess. Or perhaps you might start by simply teaching him how to sip and not slurp his soup.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cultivation cultivations

Climate change has had some advantages for Germany's winegrowers over the years, allowing them to experiment with grape varieties better suited to warmer climes and making cultivation possible in new areas.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

He said the new findings provide unusually strong evidence that natural selection acted on this gene in the Andes after potato cultivation began.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

It added that China has also been expanding its own atemoya cultivation, posing a threat to Taiwan's local industry.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

The wine-country startup wanted to revolutionize the cultivation of grapes and other fruit with $100,000 robotractors, but the technology didn’t work well enough.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

His childhood was the embodiment of concerted cultivation.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

The new program will attempt to prosecute underlying labor crimes, environmental crimes and the underground economy centered around the illicit cultivations, said Attorney General Rob Bonta.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2022

Rowe said she and other officials want to fund an eradication campaign that “will come down so hard and so often on these cultivations that they won’t be able to survive.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2021

Today, any Franklinia trees you might encounter in cemeteries, gardens and parks are descendants of Mr. Bartram’s cultivations.

From New York Times ● Oct. 16, 2020

The new cultivations are challenging long-held beliefs in some conservative communities, including this one, where a rural libertarian streak is confronting a crop still stigmatized despite its legality.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 14, 2018

Sufficient material will be brought away in the eye in its head to make cultivations.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by J. W. H. (John William Henry) Eyre

Related Words

• farming
• gardening
• horticulture
• planting