noun · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən/weak vowel distinction
[ˌkhʌltɪˈveɪʃn̩]weak vowel distinction
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/ˌkʌltəˈveɪʃən/weak vowel merger
[ˌkhʌltəˈveɪʃn̩]weak vowel merger
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪʃən
CMU ARPABET:K AH2 L T IH0 V EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The art or act of cultivating (improvement of land for or by agriculture), as:
Tillage: plowing, sowing and raising crops.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The cultivation of these valleys dates back thousands of years.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The art or act of cultivating (improvement of land for or by agriculture), as:
Light tillage: turning or stirring the soil, especially for weed control.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The cultivation of the hillside led to soil erosion.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The state of being cultivated or used for agriculture
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
These fields are in cultivation.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Devotion of time or attention to the improvement of (something)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
His steadfast cultivation of their relationship finally bore fruit.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Advancement or refinement in physical, intellectual, or moral condition
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
She is a woman of great cultivation.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
(agriculture) production of food by preparing the land to grow crops (especially on a large scale)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
