parenting

[pair-uh n-ting, par-] /ˈpɛər ən tɪŋ, ˈpær-/
noun
1.
the rearing of children:
The schedule allows her very little time for parenting.
2.
the methods, techniques, etc., used or required in the rearing of children:
a course in parenting.
3.
the state of being a parent; parenthood.
adjective
4.
of or concerned with the rearing of children:
good parenting skills.
Origin
1955-60; parent + -ing1
Usage note
Parenting has come to be favored over parenthood, rearing, and bringing up in sociological and educational literature and in popular writing.

parent

[pair-uh nt, par-] /ˈpɛər ənt, ˈpær-/
noun
1.
a father or a mother.
2.
an ancestor, precursor, or progenitor.
3.
a source, origin, or cause.
4.
a protector or guardian.
5.
Biology. any organism that produces or generates another.
6.
Physics. the first nuclide in a radioactive series.
adjective
7.
being the original source:
a parent organization.
8.
Biology. pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another:
parent cell; parent DNA.
verb (used with object)
9.
to be or act as parent of:
to parent children with both love and discipline.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin parent- (stem of parēns), noun use of present participle of parere to bring forth, breed
Related forms
parentless, adjective
parentlike, adjective
nonparent, noun
Examples from the web for parenting
  • parenting styles have been and always will be a subject of hot debate.
  • We need to have social policy that makes parenting the responsibility of both parents, and that gives them help.
  • Harried moms, make time for one more thing: a new book club to discuss parenting books.
  • Two-career couples and single moms have little spare time for parenting.
  • The second is about how to reshape jobs around our ideals of parenting.
  • Sometimes the opportunities for parenting don't come as easily.
  • Among prairie voles, the males not only share parenting duties, they will even lick and nurture pups that aren't their own.
  • For me it is a combo of working, school and parenting.
  • parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual or training wheels.
  • And this is with a remarkably cooperative co-parenting arrangement where she sees both parents every day.
British Dictionary definitions for parenting

parenting

/ˈpɛərəntɪŋ/
noun
1.
the care and upbringing of a child

parent

/ˈpɛərənt/
noun
1.
a father or mother
2.
a person acting as a father or mother; guardian
3.
(rare) an ancestor
4.
a source or cause
5.
  1. an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself
  2. (as modifier): a parent organism
6.
(physics, chem)
  1. a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity
  2. (as modifier): a parent nucleus, a parent ion
Derived Forms
parenthood, noun
Word Origin
C15: via Old French from Latin parens parent, from parere to bring forth
Word Origin and History for parenting
n.

1959, verbal noun from parent (v.). An earlier term was parentcraft (1930); also cf. parentage.

parent

n.

early 15c. (late 12c. as a surname), from Old French parent "father, parent, relative, kin" (11c.), from Latin parentem (nominative parens) "father or mother, ancestor," noun use of present participle of parere "bring forth, give birth to, produce," from PIE root *pere- "to bring forth" (see pare). Began to replace native elder after c.1500.

v.

1660s, from parent (n.). Related: Parented; parenting.

parenting in Medicine

parent par·ent (pâr'ənt, pār'-)
n.

  1. One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or a mother.

  2. An ancestor; a progenitor.

  3. An organism that produces or generates offspring.

v. par·ent·ed, par·ent·ing, par·ents

  1. To act as a parent to; to rear and nurture.

  2. To cause to come into existence; to serve as a source for; originate.