parenting

American  

[pair-uhn-ting, par-] / ˈpɛər ən tɪŋ, ˈpær- /

noun

1. the rearing of children.

   The schedule allows her very little time for parenting.

2. the methods, techniques, etc., used or required in the rearing of children.

   a course in parenting.

3. the state of being a parent; parenthood.

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adjective

1. of or concerned with the rearing of children.

   good parenting skills.

parenting British  

/ ˈpɛərəntɪŋ /

noun

1. the care and upbringing of a child

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Usage

Parenting has come to be favored over parenthood, rearing, and bringing up in sociological and educational literature and in popular writing.

Etymology

Origin of parenting

First recorded in 1955–60; parent + -ing ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parenting

Transitioning from parenting a child to partnering with a full-grown adult can be difficult.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

What comes after “wine moms”: When Susannah Bradley was raising her young children, wine was many mom’s vice of choice to help them cope with the stresses of parenting.

From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026

Most of the products a family may look at are labeled as “child protection,” and that brings home the role reversals involved in parenting your parents.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

Amid the competing demands of school, daily life and parenting, even something as simple as walking together may create valuable time for conversation and connection.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026

Jesse’s parents had practiced a fairly distant approach to parenting.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

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