nursery

American  

[nur-suh-ree] / ˈnɜr sə ri /

noun

plural

nurseries

1. a room or place set apart for young children.

2. a nursery school or day nursery.

3. a place where young trees or other plants are raised for transplanting, for sale, or for experimental study.

4. any place in which something is bred, nourished, or fostered.

   The art institute has been the nursery of much great painting.

5. any situation, condition, circumstance, practice, etc., serving to breed or foster something.

   Slums are nurseries for young criminals.

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nursery British  

/ ˈnɜːsrɪ /

noun

1. 1. a room in a house set apart for use by children

   2. ( as modifier )

      nursery wallpaper

2. a place where plants, young trees, etc, are grown commercially

3. an establishment providing residential or day care for babies and very young children; crèche

4. short for nursery school

5. anywhere serving to foster or nourish new ideas, etc

6. Also called: nursery cannon.  billiards

   1. a series of cannons with the three balls adjacent to a cushion, esp near a corner pocket

   2. a cannon in such a series

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Other Word Forms

• prenursery adjective

Etymology

Origin of nursery

First recorded in 1350–1400, nursery is from the Middle English word norcery. See nurse, -ery

Example Sentences

Interwoven between Muñoz’s warm, patient and interactive lessons are musical numbers that range from nursery range to rock to folksy with visuals that fluctuate between grounded and fantastical.

From Los Angeles Times

All children will have a legal right to an ISP and their nursery, school or college will be responsible for consulting with parents and drawing them up.

From BBC

At the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, Olympic and Paralympic parent athletes had access to a nursery in the Olympic Village for family time.

From Salon

She said some 60 suspected cases had been confirmed - with the majority in schools and nurseries and some children requiring hospital treatment, "particularly those who have not been immunised".

From BBC

"We recognise waiting a term can feel frustrating, but termly start dates allow councils and nurseries to plan staffing and places properly, ensuring provision is sustainable and available for families each term."

From BBC

Related Words

• playroom
• preschool