1
: a person who cares for the sick or infirm
specifically
: a licensed health care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health compare licensed practical nurse, registered nurse
2
3
: one that looks after, fosters, or advises
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good.—
Shakespeare
Shakespeare4
a
: a worker form of a social (see social entry 1 sense 4b) insect (such as an ant or a bee) that cares for the young
b
: a female mammal used to suckle (see suckle sense 1a) the young of another
a nurse cow
nursed; nursing
1
a
: to nourish at the breast : suckle
b
: to take nourishment from the breast of
2
a
: to care for and wait on (someone, such as a sick person)
b
: to attempt to cure by care and treatment
3
a
: to manage with care or economy
nursed the business through hard times
nursed a 1–0 lead
b
: to promote the development or progress of
c
: to take charge of and watch over
4
: to hold in one's memory or consideration
nurse a grievance
5
a
: to use, handle, or operate carefully so as to conserve energy or avoid injury or pain
nurse a sprained ankle
b
: to use sparingly
c
: to consume slowly or over a long period
nurse a cup of coffee
1
a
: to feed at the breast : suck
b
: to feed an offspring from the breast
2
: to act or serve as a nurse
nurser
noun
Examples of nurse in a Sentence
Noun
The nurse will take your blood pressure before the doctor sees you.
Nurse, may I have some water?
Verb
She is nursing her son through his illness.
The couple nursed the business through hard times.
He nursed the farm back to productivity.
The team nursed a 1–0 lead until the last inning.
The dog nursed her puppies.
The baby nursed for several months.
The puppies nursed for eight weeks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
At the vet’s office, a nurse (Maria Ru-djen, in a wild performance) who’s prone to major oversharing tangents helps guide the owner and dogs through a gauntlet of feelings and risks in the course of a real-time visit that leaves everyone in the clinic changed.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Barber has made an O-line-leading 26 starts, including all 13 games in last season despite nursing various injuries.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nurse
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.
Noun
The nurse, who works in the delivery unit at Dell Children's and has worked in post-surgery recovery units there, is well-conditioned to care for a child after surgery, but trying to keep her own active 2-year-old immobile following surgery felt overwhelming.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
At the vet’s office, a nurse (Maria Ru-djen, in a wild performance) who’s prone to major oversharing tangents helps guide the owner and dogs through a gauntlet of feelings and risks in the course of a real-time visit that leaves everyone in the clinic changed.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
She's become very playful and has made a new best friend with the dog in the home where she is being nursed back to health.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Barber has made an O-line-leading 26 starts, including all 13 games in last season despite nursing various injuries.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nurse
Cite this Entry
“Nurse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nurse. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nurse
1 of 2 noun1
: a woman who has the care of a young child
2
: a person skilled or trained in caring for the sick and in maintaining good health in those who are not sick and who works either independently or under the supervision of a physician
3
: a worker of a social insect (as an ant or bee) that cares for the young
nurse
2 of 2 verb
nursed; nursing
1
: to feed at the breast : suckle
3
: to manage with care or economy
nursed the business through hard times
4
: to care for and wait on (as a young child or sick person)
nursed me back to health
5
: to hold in one's memory
nurse a grudge
6
: to treat with special care
nursed the car over the rough road
nurser
noun
Medical Definition
nurse
1 of 2 noun1
: a person who cares for the sick or infirm
specifically
: a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health see licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse
2
: a woman who suckles an infant not her own : wet nurse
nurse
2 of 2 verb
nursed; nursing
1
a
: to nourish at the breast : suckle
b
: to take nourishment from the breast of : suck milk from
2
a
: to care for and wait on (as an injured or infirm person)
b
: to attempt a cure of (as an ailment) by care and treatment
1
a
: to feed an offspring from the breast
b
: to feed at the breast : suck
2
: to act or serve as a nurse
Biographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share