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 young stem
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Volunteers gathered recently to plant about 1,800 pine seedlings, grown from pinecones dropped in nearby forest areas. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Try barrier methods to protect plants, especially seedlings. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025

Nutrias have been observed to consume the seedlings of five hundred trees in one night—an unborn acre of forest. —Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

To protect those crops, Puerto Rican plantation workers also planted cacao, a Central American tree with broad leaves that shield seedlings from the harsh tropical sun. —Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling

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