To nourish a person, animal, or plant means to provide them with the food that is necessary for life, growth, and good health. The food she eats nourishes both her and the baby. microbes in the soil which nourish the plant. + nourishing nour·ish·ing Most of these nourishing substances are in the yolk of the egg. sensible, nourishing food
To nourish something such as a feeling or belief means to allow or encourage it to grow. Journalists on the whole don't create public opinion. They can help to nourish it. see also -nourished