1prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening:the peasants who cultivated the land became its owners
break up (soil) in preparation for sowing or planting: (as adjective, with submodifier cultivated)damp, well-cultivated soil
raise or grow (plants), especially on a large scale for commercial purposes:they were encouraged to cultivate basic food cropswalnuts were cultivated for salad oil
2 Biology grow or maintain (living cells or tissue) in culture:blood cells that can be most easily cultivated are macrophages
3try to acquire or develop (a quality or skill):he cultivated an air of indifference
try to win the friendship or favour of (someone):it helps if you go out of your way to cultivate the local people
