# cultivation

/ˌkəɫtɪˈveɪʃən/ (US) · /kˌʌltɪvˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cultivation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. growing crops

noun · CEFR B2

the act of preparing land and growing plants or crops on it.

For teachers: the process of tilling, planting, and tending land for agricultural production.

- The cultivation of rice requires a lot of water and a warm climate.
- Extensive cultivation of the valley floor has led to significant changes in the local water table over the last decade.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general practice; countable when referring to specific methods.

### 2. developing a skill or quality

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of working hard to develop a specific quality, skill, or feeling.

For teachers: the deliberate development or refinement of a particular faculty, habit, or attribute.

- The cultivation of good study habits is essential for success at university.
- The philosopher argued that the cultivation of empathy was a prerequisite for any functioning democratic society.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 3. building relationships

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the effort you put into making a relationship or friendship stronger.

For teachers: the intentional effort to foster and maintain social or professional relationships.

- The manager spent a lot of time on the cultivation of new business partners.
- Successful diplomacy relies on the careful cultivation of long-term alliances rather than short-term political gains.

### 4. refinement and education

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

the state of being polite, well-educated, and having good taste.

For teachers: the state of being refined or enlightened through education and social training.

- He was a man of great cultivation who loved opera and classical history.
- Her letters reveal a woman of extraordinary cultivation, deeply engaged with the intellectual currents of her time.

## Examples

- The cultivation of organic vegetables takes a lot of patience.
- The successful cultivation of rare orchids requires precise control over both humidity and light levels.
- The diplomat spent decades on the cultivation of international ties, believing that personal rapport was the only effective shield against sudden geopolitical shifts.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.