Nursery Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nursery

[ˈnəːs(ə)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

school

A place where young children are cared for during the day; a daycare center.

Synonyms

childcare facility, daycare center, preschool.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
nursery

A place where very young children or babies are taken care of while their parents are at work or otherwise occupied. It often refers to a room or area designed for young children within a larger institution, like a hospital or a home. It can also be used in reference to a place where plants are grown.

  • She decorated the baby's nursery with pastel colors.
  • The hospital's nursery is equipped with everything needed for newborn care.
daycare center

A specific type of childcare facility that cares for young children during the day while parents are at work. It usually caters to children who are not yet old enough for kindergarten.

  • I pick up my daughter from the daycare center at 5 PM.
  • The daycare center offers various activities to keep the children engaged.
preschool

An educational institution that prepares children for kindergarten and elementary school. It focuses on early childhood education for children typically between the ages of 3 and 5.

  • Their daughter has learned a lot since she started attending preschool.
  • Preschool provides an excellent foundation for a child's academic journey.
childcare facility

A general term for any place that provides care and supervision to children, including daycare centers, preschools, and after-school care programs. It is often used in formal or official contexts.

  • They enrolled their son in a childcare facility near their office.
  • The new childcare facility follows strict safety regulations.

Examples of usage

  • She dropped off her daughter at the nursery before heading to work.
  • The nursery provides a safe and nurturing environment for the children.
Context #2 | Noun

plants

A place where plants are grown for sale or planting.

Synonyms

greenhouse, plant nursery, plant shop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
nursery

A place where young children are cared for while their parents are at work or busy.

  • She dropped her daughter off at the nursery before heading to work.
  • The nursery provides various activities for the children throughout the day.
greenhouse

A structure, usually made of glass, used for growing plants in controlled conditions.

  • The botanist spent hours in the greenhouse caring for her exotic plants.
  • During the winter, the greenhouse protects the plants from the cold.

Examples of usage

  • The nursery had a wide variety of flowers and shrubs.
  • We bought our new garden plants from the local nursery.

Translations

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Origin of 'nursery'

The word 'nursery' originated from the Middle English word 'noryserie', which meant 'the charge of children'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to a place where young children were cared for. Over time, the term also came to be used for a place where plants are grown. The concept of a nursery as a school for young children has evolved and expanded, while plant nurseries continue to be an essential part of gardening and landscaping.


See also: nurse, nursing.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,739 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.