cultivate
verb (used with object)
to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.
have been cultivating
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present perfect progressiveof cultivate.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People have been cultivating silkworms for thousands of years, unwinding their cocoons to provide material for textiles.
From Science Magazine ● Sep. 19, 2023
But here in the desert in southern Egypt, workers have been cultivating another precious commodity: electricity.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2022
Yeast are single-celled fungi that come in 1,500 different species; humans have been cultivating them to make breads and alcoholic beverages for 5,000 years.
From Slate ● Apr. 15, 2020
Schaletzky and her husband have been cultivating a plot in the “Free Country” community garden for the past eight years, growing strawberries, salad greens and kohlrabi.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 31, 2020
Our paper used to be strongly political, but the increase in the number of subscribers did not pay for the libel actions, and so of late we have been cultivating an open mind and advertisements.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, December 12, 1917 by Various
