# nursing

/ˈnɝsɪŋ/ (US) · /nˈɜːsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nursing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the profession

noun · CEFR B1

the job or profession of looking after people who are ill, injured, or old.

For teachers: the profession or practice of providing medical care and support to patients, typically within a clinical or community setting.

- She decided to go into nursing because she wanted to help people in her community.
- The hospital is currently facing a critical shortage of staff in the nursing department, leading to longer shifts for the remaining personnel.

### 2. breastfeeding

noun · CEFR B2

the act of a mother feeding a baby with milk from her own body.

For teachers: the act of suckling or breastfeeding an infant.

- The quiet room in the mall is designed for mothers who need a private space for nursing.
- The midwife provided several helpful tips on comfortable positions for nursing during the first few weeks after the birth.

### 3. related to nurses

adjective · CEFR B1

describing things or people related to the job of a nurse.

For teachers: pertaining to the profession, duties, or education of nurses.

- He is a nursing student at the local university and works at the clinic on weekends.
- The nursing staff held a meeting to discuss the implementation of the new patient safety protocols across all wards.

### 4. lactating

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a mother animal or person who is currently producing milk for her young.

For teachers: in the state of suckling young or producing milk; lactating.

- The nursing mother cat stayed close to her kittens to keep them warm and fed.
- The nutritional requirements for nursing mammals are significantly higher than those for non-lactating adults of the same species.

## Examples

- She decided to study nursing after working as a volunteer.
- The hospital is currently facing a shortage of staff in the pediatric nursing department.
- Advances in medical technology have significantly expanded the scope of modern nursing, requiring practitioners to master complex diagnostic equipment alongside traditional patient care duties.

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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.