horticulture

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯr-tə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rəl 

adjective

horticulturally

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Hortus is Latin for "garden", and the first gardens were planted about 10,000 years ago in what is often called the Fertile Crescent—the crescent-shaped area stretching from Israel north through Syria and down Iraq's two great rivers to the Persian Gulf. Probably more fertile in previous centuries than it is today, it was the original home of such food plants as wheat, barley, peas, and lentils or their ancient ancestors (not to mention the ancestors of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats as well). Many horticulturists today work as researchers or plant breeders or tend orchards and greenhouses—but most American households contain at least one amateur horticulturist.

Examples of horticulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Texas Department of Agriculture says any plant species that has a serious potential to cause economical or ecological harm to the agriculture, horticulture, native plants, ecology and waterways of Texas is considered noxious and invasive. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2024

In 2024, they are expected sometime in May or early June, depending on the location, according to Ken Johnson, a horticulture educator at the University of Illinois. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin hortus garden + English -i- + culture — more at yard

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

horticulture

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯrt-ə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯrt-ə-ˈkəlch(-ə)-rəl 

adjective