upbringing

American

[uhp-bring-ing] / ˈʌpˌbrɪŋ ɪŋ /

noun

the care and training of young children or a particular type of such care and training.

His religious upbringing fitted him to be a missionary.

upbringing British

/ ˈʌpˌbrɪŋɪŋ /

noun

Also called: bringing-up. the education of a person during his formative years

"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

Etymology

Origin of upbringing

First recorded in 1475–85; gerund of upbring “to rear children” (obsolete since the 16th century)

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.

Her multicultural upbringing - Parkinson can speak four languages - means she brings a wealth of experience, despite her young age.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The 75-year-old actor reflected on his upbringing, early career, and decades-long relationship with Hawn, 80, in a wide-ranging interview with the Wall Street Journal.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

As far as Meta is concerned, Kaley's mental health struggles stem from her personal life and upbringing and cannot be blamed on her use of Instagram.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

The book explores the singer’s upbringing in Alabama and his rise to stardom, including performing with the Commodores.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Although Amaranta insisted that he be left so that she could take over his upbringing, his mother was against it.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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