husbandry

American  

[huhz-buhn-dree] / ˈhʌz bən dri /

noun

1. the cultivation and production of edible crops or of animals for food; agriculture; farming.

2. the science of raising crops or food animals.

3. careful or thrifty management; frugality, thrift, or conservation.

4. the management of domestic affairs or of resources generally.

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husbandry British  

/ ˈhʌzbəndrɪ /

noun

1. farming, esp when regarded as a science, skill, or art

2. management of affairs and resources

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husbandry Scientific  

/ hŭz′bən-drē /

1. The application of scientific principles to agriculture, especially to animal breeding.

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Etymology

Origin of husbandry

First recorded in 1250–1300, husbandry is from the Middle English word housebondrie. See husband, -ry

Example Sentences

As a result, even veterinarians may rely on the husbandry guidelines developed by the community of serious crab keepers.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

But whatever Eliza’s husbandry, and however many trees survived, they took several years to bear fruit, and the first crop might have amounted to a massive 16 oranges.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2024

The NFU’s Vice-President, Rachel Hallos, said: "Animal husbandry, health, welfare and adherence to established biosecurity protocols are the most important factors for good on-farm practice, not the size or type of farm system."

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2024

Once commercial options become available, they would likely be marketed as husbandry practices that maximize animal "happiness."

From Salon • May 15, 2024

Hagrid, becoming expansive under the influence of the drink and Slughorn’s flattering interest, stopped mopping his eyes and entered happily into a long explanation of bowtruckle husbandry.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• conservation