care for
phrasal verb
cared for; caring for; cares for
1
: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal) : look after (someone or something)
She cares for elderly patients.
Who is caring for your son while you are at work?
2
: to feel affection for (someone)
I got the feeling he never really cared for me.
3
somewhat formal
: to like or enjoy (something)
—often used in negative statements
I don't care for jelly beans.
I don't care for your tone of voice.
4
somewhat formal
: to want (something)
Would you care for some pie?
Examples of care for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 34-year-old mother of two from Wilmington, North Carolina, quit working to care for her parents.
—
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Even under restrictive laws, health-care providers are legally permitted — and ethically obligated — to provide care for life-threatening pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.
—Kristen Day, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024
Back then, medical treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases were limited, and our family struggled to find full-time care for my younger sister as she was left with the capabilities of a small child.
—Judy Hunter, Essence, 25 Oct. 2024
After All follows the journey of Ellen (played by Erika Christensen), a woman who returns home to care for her ailing mother and estranged teenage daughter.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for care for 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Even under restrictive laws, health-care providers are legally permitted — and ethically obligated — to provide care for life-threatening pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.
—Kristen Day, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024
Back then, medical treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases were limited, and our family struggled to find full-time care for my younger sister as she was left with the capabilities of a small child.
—Judy Hunter, Essence, 25 Oct. 2024
After All follows the journey of Ellen (played by Erika Christensen), a woman who returns home to care for her ailing mother and estranged teenage daughter.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for care for
Dictionary Entries Near care for
Cite this Entry
“Care for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20for. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share