nursery

[ nur-suh-ree ]

noun

, plural nurs·er·ies.

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.

nursery

/ 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 callednursery 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

Other Words From

• pre·nurser·y adjective noun plural prenurseries

Word History and Origins

Origin of nursery¹

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

Example Sentences

The Birmingham Yardley MP told BBC Politics Midlands funding shortfalls in nurseries had fallen on parents since her own children went nearly 20 years ago.

From BBC

The rain was still thundering down, but by now - early evening - he had managed to leave work early, safely pick up his boys from nursery and was about to make their favourite dinner – croquetas.

From BBC

Wednesday, she ran to the nursery to try to pack up the baby’s essentials, such as clothing and medicine.

From Los Angeles Times

Families with children at the affected nurseries instructed solicitors to challenge Hackney Council's proposals to close the services.

From BBC

The baby was then taken away to the nursery for the night so her mother could rest.

From BBC

Related Words

• playroom
• preschool