seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
a
: a young tree before it becomes a sapling
b
: a nursery plant not yet transplanted
seedling adjective

Illustration of seedling

Illustration of seedling
  • 1 primary root
  • 2 rootlet
  • 3 root hairs
  • 4 hypocotyl
  • 5 cotyledon
  • 6 young stem
  • 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, some, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, are not edible at the seedling stage. Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024 Through the resort's seedling program, younger guests are invited to learn all about the precious plants and their role in biodiversity’s bigger picture. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024 After a few months, when the new crosses are at the seedling stage, they can be tested for the presence of absence of certain genes. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024 The government is distributing seeds to centers, and the app points people to nearby seedling nurseries. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for seedling 

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seedling was in 1629

Dictionary Entries Near seedling

Cite this Entry

“Seedling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedling. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

seedling

noun
seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
: a tree before it becomes a sapling
seedling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on seedling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!