Nursery

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈnɝs(É™)ri/
• Hyphenation: nurs + er + y

Origin

nurse + -ery

Full definition of nursery

Noun

1. (obsolete) The act of nursing.
• 1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 1, sc. 1:I loved her most, and thought to set my restOn her kind nursery.
2. A place where nursing is carried on; as:
1. A room or area in a household set apart for the care of children; specifically in European countries.
• 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 1/2, … presently Selwyn lay prone upon the nursery floor, impersonating a ladrone while pleasant shivers chased themselves over Drina, whom he was stalking.
2. A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are cultivated for transplanting; a plantation of young trees.
3. The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted.
• circa 1594 William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, act 1, sc. 1:Fair Padua, nursery of arts.
• J. M. Mason:Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven.
4. A nursery school.
5. That which forms and educates.Commerce is the nursery of seamen.
6. (rare) That which is nursed.

Derived terms

• nursery rhyme
• stellar nursery
• workplace nursery
• night nursery
• day nursery

Related terms

• nurse