English Reference
noun · verb

nurse

n. · v.
US /ˈnɝs/ UK /nˈɜːs/ nurse UK spelling nursed, nurses

  1. 01 A1 Beginner Medicine

    n.a person whose job is to care for people who are ill or injured, usually in a hospital.

    n.a person formally educated and trained in the care of the sick or infirm, typically working under the supervision of a physician.

    Simple

    The nurse checked my temperature and gave me some medicine.

    In context

    After the surgery, a dedicated nurse monitored the patient's vital signs every hour to ensure there were no complications.

    caregivermedical practitioner
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    n.someone, often a woman, who is paid to look after other people's children.

    n.a person employed to provide primary care and supervision for children in a private household.

    Simple

    The wealthy family hired a nurse to help look after the newborn baby.

    In context

    In the early twentieth century, it was common for aristocratic families to employ a nursery nurse to oversee the children's daily routines.

    nannychildminder
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to look after someone who is sick or injured.

    v.to provide medical or supportive care to an ill or injured person.

    Simple

    She stayed home for a week to nurse her husband back to health.

    In context

    The volunteers worked tirelessly to nurse the rescued animals until they were strong enough to be released into the wild.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to feed a baby with milk from the breast.

    v.to feed an infant at the breast; used both transitively for the mother and intransitively for the infant.

    Simple

    The mother sat quietly in the park to nurse her baby.

    In context

    Health organisations often recommend that mothers nurse their infants for at least the first six months of life.

    breastfeedsuckle
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Informal

    v.to drink something very slowly, often to make it last a long time.

    v.to consume a beverage in small sips over an extended period, typically to prolong the experience or stay in a social setting.

    Simple

    He sat at the corner table and nursed a single cup of coffee for two hours.

    In context

    Rather than ordering another round, she spent the rest of the evening nursing her glass of wine while listening to the jazz band.

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated