parenting
Americannoun
-
the rearing of children.
The schedule allows her very little time for parenting.
-
the methods, techniques, etc., used or required in the rearing of children.
a course in parenting.
-
the state of being a parent; parenthood.
adjective
noun
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
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.
The scene thrums with the complexity of domestic life, the simultaneity of partnering and parenting, as well as of looking, being looked at, being overlooked, and being visually represented.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
When pupils meet the criteria, project workers based at the school approach families to offer help in the form mediation, parenting support and financial guidance, among other things.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
And while I could rant about the division of labor and parenting when it comes to different-sex couples, I actually don’t think gender has anything to do with your problem.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Dhruv Mahajan had less success using the term for parenting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
His parents disapproved, but their “active, results-oriented” parenting meant that they gave Colin a measure of freedom to make his own decisions.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
