parenting

American

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

noun

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

of or concerned with the rearing of children.

good parenting skills.

parenting British

/ ˈpɛərəntɪŋ /

noun

the care and upbringing of a child

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

See Examples For:

parenting

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

Like them, Navarro has found that his board of advisers is just as wise on nonwork topics—like parenting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 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

I sure hope he buys a book about single parenting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

The truth is, Dad’s never been in the hands-on-at-every-moment parenting stage Brie’s in.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023