the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
"After her husband's accident, she decided to take a job in nursing so she could stay close to him and help care for his recovery."
the profession of a nurse
"She decided to pursue nursing after volunteering at the local hospital for several summers."
nourishing at the breast
"After months of nursing, she finally decided to wean her baby."
Suckling, such as breastfeeding.
"The mother gently lifted her baby to begin nursing after the long journey home."
In plain English: Nursing is the job of taking care of sick or injured people by helping them get better and feeling comfortable.
"She spent her evenings providing nursing care to her grandmother at home."
Usage: In everyday usage, nursing refers to the act of feeding an infant with breast milk or using a bottle, rather than the medical profession. You should use it specifically when describing this physical act of suckling or the time spent doing so.
present participle of nurse
"The exhausted mother was nursing her crying baby when the power suddenly went out."
In plain English: To nurse means to take care of someone who is sick or injured by giving them food, water, and comfort.
"She spent all morning nursing her sore ankle after the marathon."
Usage: Use "nursing" to describe the ongoing action of caring for someone who is sick or injured, such as nursing a patient back to health. You can also use it when tending to something that requires delicate attention, like nursing a wound or nursing a fire until it burns low.
In the state of suckling young, lactating.
"The mother cat was nursing her kittens in a quiet corner of the living room."
In plain English: Nursing describes something that is designed to help people recover from illness or injury.
"The nursing staff quickly attended to the injured patient."
Usage: Use "nursing" as an adjective to describe a mother who is currently breastfeeding her infant or an animal that is suckling its young. Do not use it to refer to the profession of caring for patients in a hospital setting.
Derived from Old French nurser and Latin nutrire, both meaning "to suckle" or "to nourish," the term originally referred specifically to the act of feeding an infant with breast milk. It later expanded in English to denote professional care for the sick, elderly, or injured.