To nurture something is to care for it, usually by offering food or protection in the way a parent nurtures a child. One can also nurture animals, plants, or even certain qualities in a person or thing. Nurturing has connotations of going beyond meeting a being's basic needs. For example, a person might meet their dog's basic needs by offering it food, water, and protection. To truly nurture the dog, though, they should also make sure it is in good health with trips to the veterinarian, walks, and mentally-engaging playtime.
One phrase where the meaning of nurture is sometimes confusing is when one says, "nature versus nurture." We often use this phrase when talking about habits or behaviors—is a being born with the behavior, making it a part of "nature," or is it learned during life, as "nurture?" In this sense, nurture implies that something is learned and cultivated in a person (or possibly animal).
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