nursery
NUR-suh-ree
/ˈnɜːrsəri/
A room in a house set apart for young children or infants; or a place where plants or young children are cared for.
Refers specifically to spaces decorated, equipped, and designated for infants and young children.
The story behind the word. Originates from Old French 'nourrice' (nurse), coming from Latin 'nutrire' (to nourish). It expanded from describing the nurse herself to the physical room where infants were nourished and nurtured.
Word relationships
- playroom: A playroom is for active play for older children, while a nursery is designed primarily for babies' sleep and care.
- creche: A creche is a public daycare center; a nursery can be a private room in a home or a nursery school.
Commonly confused with
- nursing home: A nursery is for babies or young plants; a nursing home is a care facility for elderly or infirm adults.
Word family
- nurse (verb / noun): To care for or feed a infant; or a healthcare professional.
Collocations
- nursery rhyme
- nursery school
- plant nursery
- nursery decor
Example sentences
- "They spent the weekend painting walls and assembling a crib in the nursery." Home preparation
- "The toddler attends nursery school three mornings a week." Early education
Memory hook
NURSERY is where you NURTURE a newly born child. The cozy room for care.
When not to use
Do not refer to a bedroom for teenagers or adults as a nursery.
Fun facts
- The term applies equally to plant cultivation facilities because young saplings require gentle 'nurturing' just like human infants.
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