seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

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

• 1 primary root
• 2 rootlet
• 3 root hairs
• 4 hypocotyl
• 5 cotyledon
• 6 epicotyl
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Should another fire roll through, the seedlings are not yet tall enough to hold their branches above the flames. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Insert the stake into the ground, about 3 to 5 inches from the seedling. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Hooper adds that starting seedlings will also not do well in terracotta pots for this same reason. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 2 July 2026

The story follows one family who plants bulbs, seeds and seedlings to create a rainbow of blooming flowers. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling
• wheedling

Kids Definition

seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

1

: a young plant grown from seed

2

: a tree before it becomes a sapling

seedling adjective