nursing

noun

nurs·​ing ˈnər-siŋ How to pronounce nursing (audio)
Synonyms of nursingnext
1
: the profession of a nurse
schools of nursing
2
: the duties of a nurse
proper nursing is difficult work

Examples of nursing in a Sentence

She has been employed in nursing for several years now.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Currently, employees who leave or retire aren't replaced, except for those on the nursing team, which is hiring but still understaffed. — Kate Wells, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Hampton also has a variety of masters and PhD programs, and enrollment in those, particularly in education and nursing, is already showing signs of strain, Williams reports. — Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Ajanel is now a rising junior at Dalton State College pursuing a career in nursing. — Nila Roper, AJC.com, 31 July 2026 Like similar facilities around the country, Cabrini is prepared to scramble to secure replacement staffers from nursing agencies and plead with remaining workers to take overtime shifts. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nursing

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of nursing was circa 1533

Phrases Containing nursing

Rhymes for nursing

See All Rhymes for nursing

Browse Nearby Words

nurse tree
nursing
nursing anemia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nursing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nursing. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

nursing

noun
nurs·​ing
1
: the profession of a nurse
schools of nursing
2
: the duties of a nurse
proper nursing is difficult work

More from Merriam-Webster on nursing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nursing

Nglish: Translation of nursing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nursing

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