To cherish something means to care for it deeply and hold it as precious. When you cherish a gift from your grandmother, you don't just keep it safe: you treasure it because of what it means to you. When parents cherish their children, they love them with a protective tenderness that goes beyond ordinary affection.

The word suggests both caring deeply and treating something as valuable. You might cherish a friendship by making time for that person and remembering what matters to them. You could cherish a memory by thinking about it often and holding onto the feelings it brings. People cherish old photographs, special traditions, handwritten letters, or even worn stuffed animals from childhood.

Cherish carries a sense of warmth and protection. It's not the same as simply liking something or wanting to possess it. When you cherish something, you recognize its value and want to preserve it carefully. A person might say they cherish the time spent with their grandfather, meaning those moments matter so much that they want to remember and honor them.