cultivation

[ kuhl-tuh-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or art of cultivating.
2. the state of being cultivated. cultivated.
3. culture; refinement.

   Synonyms: taste, breeding, gentility

cultivation

/ ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. agriculture
   1. the planting, tending, improving, or harvesting of crops or plants
   2. the preparation of ground to promote their growth
2. development, esp through education, training, etc
3. culture or sophistication, esp social refinement

Other Words From

• noncul·ti·vation noun
• over·culti·vation noun
• precul·ti·vation noun
• recul·ti·vation noun
• self-cul·ti·vation noun
• uncul·ti·vation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cultivation¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; cultivate + -ion

Example Sentences

Peach cultivation is thought to have begun around 8,000 years ago in the Yangtze Valley in China.

From Salon

As Indigenous food cultivation often left a less obvious impact on the land than agriculture, that can be difficult to prove.

From Science Magazine

Oregon restricts use to treatment centers, while Colorado also allows for home cultivation, similar to the proposed measure in Massachusetts.

From Salon

“It is rare that higher-level organizers are anywhere near the cultivation areas.”

From Los Angeles Times

The UN public health agency said first efforts to limit human-mosquito contact in Egypt began in the 1920s when it banned rice cultivation and agricultural crops near homes.

From BBC

Related Words

• farming
• gardening
• horticulture
• planting

More About Cultivation

What does cultivation mean?

Cultivation is the act of growing something or improving its growth, especially crops.

Cultivation can also be used in a more figurative way to refer to the same kind of process, except that the thing being grown or improved is often an abstract thing, such as a business or a friendship.

Cultivation is a noun form of the verb cultivate.

The literal sense of cultivation is most often used in the context of agriculture, but it can also refer to things being grown in a laboratory. Its figurative sense can apply to the development of many different things, such as relationships, skills, and even cultures.

Example: The rich soil in this region is ideal for the cultivation of a variety of crops.

Where does cultivation come from?

The word cultivation ultimately grew out of the Medieval Latin word cultīvātus, which derives from the Latin verb colere, meaning “to till,” “to toil over,” “to care for,” or “to worship.” Colere is also the basis of the words cult, culture, and agriculture, among many others.

Cultivation isn’t just planting something and letting it grow. It involves preparing for its growth and tending to it as it grows. Cultivation of crops often first involves tilling (or plowing) the land. (A machine that does this is called a cultivator). It also involves planting seeds and then watering them and making sure they are growing properly. When crops and plants are cultivated, they are taken care of until they are ready to be harvested. Cultivation of organisms in a lab involves growing (or culturing) them in a controlled environment.

You can see why this process is used as a metaphor for growing something like a friendship. Cultivation of a friendship involves first gaining someone’s trust, and then continuing to build the relationship until it blossoms, so to speak. Cultivation of a business or someone’s talent involves developing it for success. Other things can be grown through cultivation, such as skills, interests, or even cultures. In every case, care must be taken so that such things can take root and continue to thrive.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to cultivation?

• cultivate (verb)
• cultivated (past tense verb, adjective)
• cultivator (noun)

What are some words that share a root or word element with cultivation? 

 

• agriculture
• cultivar
• culture
• cult

What are some words that often get used in discussing cultivation?

• crop
• till
• tend
• harvest
• plant
• friendship
• business
• skill
• interest

How is cultivation used in real life?

Cultivation is most commonly used in a literal sense in the context of agriculture to refer to growing crops. But it is also used in many different figurative ways.

2300 trees for #Artsakh! Artsakh's borderlands are rich in fertile lands – ideal for the cultivation of crops, and for the development of agriculture.

We recently planted a new orchard in one of the villages of Kashatagh, the liberated region that connects Artsakh to #Armenia. pic.twitter.com/MzA6lDbq0G

— Tufenkian Foundation (@tufenkianfund) March 28, 2018

Discussing the writing process and cultivation of talent with @tanehisicoates Thursday night. #UNTcoates @ntdaily pic.twitter.com/2ruuYcNlWv

— Nicholas Friedman (@NMFreed) March 14, 2015

Successful cultivation of startups: Arch Grants names two winners of $100K awards: http://t.co/gT19rgk4t5 via @STLtoday

— Grove Digital (@Grove_Digital) April 5, 2013

 

 

Try using cultivation!

Which of the following things can be grown through cultivation?

A. crops
B. skills
C. culture
D. all of the above