gardening

[ gahrd-ning ]

/ ˈgɑrd nɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gardening ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of cultivating or tending a garden.

the work or art of a gardener.

Nearby words

garden-path, garden-variety, gardena, gardener, gardenia, gardening, gardening leave, garderobe, gardiner, gardiner, stephen, gardner

Origin of gardening

First recorded in 1570–80; garden + -ing¹

Definition for gardening (2 of 2)

garden

[ gahr-dn ]

/ ˈgɑr dn /

noun

a plot of ground, usually near a house, where flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or herbs are cultivated.

a piece of ground or other space, commonly with ornamental plants, trees, etc., used as a park or other public recreation area: a public garden.

a fertile and delightful spot or region.

British. yard²(def 1).

adjective

pertaining to, produced in, or suitable for cultivation or use in a garden: fresh garden vegetables; garden furniture.

garden-variety.

verb (used without object)

to lay out, cultivate, or tend a garden.

verb (used with object)

to cultivate as a garden.

Origin of garden

1300–50; Middle English gardin < Old North French gardin, Old French jardin < Germanic; compare Old High German gartin-, German Garten, yard²

Related forms

gar·den·a·ble, adjectivegar·den·less, adjectivegar·den·like, adjectiveun·gar·dened, adjective

well-gar·dened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gardening

The machismo of Afghan male culture apparently coexists with a little-noted passion for gardening.
Afghanistan, We Hardly Knew You|Jonathan Foreman|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They sit on corners waiting for some guy to come by to get the gardening done at his estate.
The Anguish of Alan Simpson, Tragic Hero of Immigration Reform|Eleanor Clift|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She also reveals to Vogue her penchant for gardening and Mexican food.
13 Things You Didn’t Know About Wendy Davis|Erin Cunningham|August 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Gardening was limited and grass was left to grow noticeably longer.
Sequester Furloughs Force Government Workers to Change Financial and Career Plans|Miranda Green|August 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST

One supporter in Philadelphia arrived clutching the gardening book to her chest.
Michelle Obama Takes the First Ladies’ Version of the Hippocratic Oath|Allison Yarrow|June 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Our farm-labourers, as a rule, know nothing of gardening, and few of them can command 10 capital.
Speculations from Political Economy|C. B. Clarke
I have written from personal experience in the various phases of gardening upon which I have touched in this book.
Amateur Gardencraft|Eben E. Rexford
Don't think that you can learn all there is to know about gardening from books.
ABC of Gardening|Eben Eugene Rexford
One school may see things from a different point of view to another, yet is there but one art of gardening.
Garden-Craft Old and New|John D. Sedding
Such shrewd things mingled with the more ordinary knowledge of our ancestors upon affairs of gardening.
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852|Various

British Dictionary definitions for gardening (1 of 2)

gardening

/ (ˈɡɑːdənɪŋ) /

noun

the planning and cultivation of a garden
(as modifier)gardening gloves

British Dictionary definitions for gardening (2 of 2)

garden

/ (ˈɡɑːdən) /

noun

British

an area of land, usually planted with grass, trees, flowerbeds, etc, adjoining a houseUS and Canadian word: yard
(as modifier)a garden chair

an area of land used for the cultivation of ornamental plants, herbs, fruit, vegetables, trees, etc
(as modifier)garden tools Related adjective: horticultural

(often plural) such an area of land that is open to the public, sometimes part of a parkbotanical gardens

a fertile and beautiful region
(as modifier)a garden paradise

(modifier) provided with or surrounded by a garden or gardensa garden flat

lead a person up the garden path informal to mislead or deceive a person

adjective

common or garden informal ordinary; unexceptional

verb

to work in, cultivate, or take care of (a garden, plot of land, etc)

Derived Forms

gardenless, adjectivegarden-like, adjective

Word Origin for garden

C14: from Old French gardin, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German gart enclosure; see yard ² (sense 1)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with gardening

garden

In addition to the idiom beginning with garden

garden variety

also see:

lead down the garden path