Nursing

/ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

nounBeginnerVery CommonMedical

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The care and attention given to someone who is ill or injured.

/ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

nounneutralBeginner
Medical

The profession or practice of providing care for the sick, injured, or elderly.

She chose nursing as her career path.

💡 Simply: Nursing is like being a caregiver. Nurses help people who are sick or hurt feel better, like giving medicine or helping them get out of bed. It's all about making sure people are comfortable and safe when they need help.

👶 For kids: Nursing is when grown-ups help people who are not feeling well, like a doctor but they give care to them.

More Examples

2

The school offers a comprehensive program in nursing.

3

The demand for qualified nurses is high.

How It's Used

Medical

"She dedicated her life to nursing."

Healthcare

"The hospital's nursing staff is highly trained."

2

The act of feeding a baby milk from the breast.

/ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

nounneutralBeginner
General

The act of feeding a baby with milk from the breast.

The mother was seen nursing her newborn baby in the park.

💡 Simply: Nursing, in this case, is when a mom feeds her baby with milk from her body. It's a special way of feeding a baby and getting them close to mom.

👶 For kids: Nursing is when a mommy gives milk to her baby from her tummy.

More Examples

2

Nursing provides essential nutrients for the baby's development.

3

She decided to nurse her child for a year.

How It's Used

Parenting

"She is currently nursing her baby."

Childcare

"The mother opted for extended nursing."

Tip:Picture a mother lovingly breastfeeding her baby.
3

Relating to the care and treatment of the sick or injured.

/ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Medical

Relating to the care of the sick, injured, or elderly.

She's pursuing a nursing degree.

💡 Simply: When something is nursing, it's connected to helping people who aren't feeling well. Like a nursing home takes care of older people.

👶 For kids: Nursing means things that help people feel better when they are sick.

More Examples

2

The nursing staff provided excellent care.

3

The hospital has a well-equipped nursing station.

How It's Used

Medical

"She is a nursing student."

Healthcare

"The hospital has a nursing department."

Tip:Think of a nursing home, or a nursing degree

Idioms & expressions

nursing home

A residential facility for the elderly or people with disabilities, providing medical and personal care.

"My grandmother resides in a nursing home."

nursing bottle

A bottle with a nipple, used for feeding babies formula or expressed breast milk.

"She prepared the baby's nursing bottle."

From Middle English *nursing*, present participle of *nursen* ("to nurse"), from Old French *nurrir* ("to nourish").

The word 'nursing' has existed in the English language for centuries, initially linked to the act of caring for the young or ill.

Memory tip

Think of a caring nurse, actively providing care to someone who is sick.

nurcingnursiing

Usage

0.6%Spoken
0.4%Written