Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 8, 2026, is "nurture." This verb primarily means to help someone or something grow, develop, or succeed. It also encompasses taking care of developing entities by providing essentials like food and protection. Furthermore, "nurture" can describe holding an idea or feeling in one's mind over time. For instance, art teachers nurture student creativity. Another example is nurturing a secret ambition. Historically, "nurture" in English referred to training or upbringing, reflecting care for growth. The verb form emerged later, initially focusing on feeding and caring for the young. Both "nurture" and "nourish" share roots in the Latin verb "nutrire," meaning to nourish or suckle. The figurative sense of furthering development appeared centuries later. Mary Wollstonecraft notably used "nurture" in this figurative sense in 1792.