cultivation

/ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/ · kul-tih-VAY-shunnoun

The preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

Use cultivation to express this relationship precisely: the preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

What cultivation Really Means

The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.

1

Core meaning

The preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

Example

Rice cultivation transformed the valley's water system.

2

Common noun frame

Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.

Example

The programme supports the cultivation of scientific curiosity.

3

Analytical distinction

Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.

Example

Successful collaboration requires the cultivation of trust.

Use cultivation Naturally

Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.

Rice cultivation transformed the valley's water system.

The programme supports the cultivation of scientific curiosity.

Successful collaboration requires the cultivation of trust.

Precision Matters

Cultivation overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.

cultivation

Means the preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

vs.
foster

Means to encourage or promote the development of something.

cultivation

Means the preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

vs.
nurture

Means to care for and encourage growth or development.

cultivation

Means the preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

vs.
deplete

Means to reduce the amount or supply of something, often substantially.

cultivation

Means the preparation and care of land or organisms for growth; also, the deliberate development of a skill, quality, or relationship.

vs.
replenish

Means to refill, restore, or resupply something that has been used or depleted.

Test cultivation in Context

The soil had to be prepared and managed to support growth.

1

The garden's recovery required careful ___ of the soil as well as regular watering.

Prepared byFirst Academy
Editorial responsibilityFirst Academy Academic Team
Updated3 August 2026
Selection and reviewRead our methodology