germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
1
: to come into being : evolve
before Western civilization began to germinate—
A. L. Kroeber
A. L. Kroeber2
: to begin to grow : sprout
waiting for the seeds to germinate
Examples of germinate in a Sentence
methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds
Recent Examples on the Web
Some plants germinate readily outdoors, but still need protection from critters, and diligent attention to watering and weeding.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2025
Weed seed beds are often abundant and new weed seeds are likely to germinate, even in the best prepared beds, particularly if they are tilled.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
What to look for in a quality microgreen grow kit
A growing guarantee
No one likes to fail, but sometimes seeds don’t germinate through no fault of the grower.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Olson, along with other scientists, tried three different methods to get the seeds to germinate, but 19th-century seeds were no longer viable.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for germinate
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Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2025
Weed seed beds are often abundant and new weed seeds are likely to germinate, even in the best prepared beds, particularly if they are tilled.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
What to look for in a quality microgreen grow kit
A growing guarantee
No one likes to fail, but sometimes seeds don’t germinate through no fault of the grower.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Olson, along with other scientists, tried three different methods to get the seeds to germinate, but 19th-century seeds were no longer viable.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Cite this Entry
“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germinate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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Medical Definition
germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
: to begin to grow : sprout
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