nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

nourished; nourishing; nourishes

transitive verb

1

: nurture, rear

… to save my boy, to nourish and bring him up …

—Shakespeare

2

: to promote the growth of

no occasions to exercise the feelings nor nourish passion

—L. O. Coxe

nourished soccer as a sport in this country

needed to nourish his spiritual life

3

a

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed

Plants are nourished by rain and soil.

b

: maintain, support

their profits … nourish other criminal activities

—Beverly Smith

nourisher noun

Synonyms

• advance
• cultivate
• encourage
• forward
• foster
• further
• incubate
• nurse
• nurture
• promote

Examples of nourish in a Sentence

Vitamins are added to the shampoo to nourish the hair.

a friendship nourished by trust

Recent Examples on the Web

Make time for real breaks, eat nourishing meals, and prioritize sleep to help your body recover. —Sho Dewan, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Already the standard for all-around body skin care with its signature 5 signal peptides and facial-grade oils rich in vitamins and omegas, this lotion is as strengthening and nourishing as ever—just with an olfactory boost. —Kelsey Eisen, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024

Heat protectants and nourishing hair masks have become staples in my routine, helping protect my hair from dryness while adding moisture and shine. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 28 Oct. 2024

The formula is packed with a ton of nourishing ingredients, such as Vitamin C, that work to illuminate your complexion like never before. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nurishen, from Anglo-French nuriss-, stem of nurrir, norrir, from Latin nutrire to suckle, nourish; akin to Greek nan to flow, noteros damp, Sanskrit snauti it drips

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nourish

verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish 

ˈnə-rish

1

: to promote the growth or development of

2

a

: to provide with food : feed

plants nourished by rain and soil

b

: to provide for : support, maintain

a friendship nourished by trust

Medical Definition

nourish

transitive verb

nour·​ish ˈnər-ish, ˈnə-rish 

: to furnish or sustain with nutriment : feed