vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv 

1

: relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation

2

: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom

3

: leading a dull, monotonous, or passive existence : vegetable entry 2 sense 3

4

a(1)

: growing or having the power of growing

(2)

: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions

a vegetative nucleus

b

: promoting plant growth

the vegetative properties of soil

c

: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods

5

a

: autonomic sense 1

b

: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning and only involuntary bodily functions (such as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained

vegetatively adverb

vegetativeness noun

Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Burning of vegetative debris is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in Minnesota, and burning restrictions help reduce wildfire risk, the DNR said. —Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2024

The developer promises a 30-foot vegetative buffer along Alcove Road and a pedestrian connection across a realigned Fairview Road. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2024

The disease advances rapidly, causing children to deteriorate into a vegetative state. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024

That could prolong the execution and leave him in a vegetative state instead of killing him. —USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024

Canvasback Duck Habitat While canvasbacks are omnivorous, their diet primarily consists of vegetative material, namely wild celery. —M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 8 Nov. 2023

The staggering destruction and death toll of fires in Paradise, California, in 2018, and this month’s tragedy on Maui, were partly attributed to the intermingling of urban development and vegetative fuels. —Omar Mouallem, WIRED, 23 Aug. 2023

Dry, windy conditions with an accumulation of vegetative fuel can create conditions for a fire that spreads quickly. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2023

Schiavo entered a vegetative state after a heart attack in 1990. —Lindsay Lee Wallace, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vegetatif "promoting growth, of the lowest species of soul in Aristotelian philosophy (characteristic of plants), of the plant kingdom," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French vegetative, borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātīvus, from Late Latin vegetātus, past participle of vegetāre "to live, grow" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at vegetate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)

Phrases Containing vegetative

• persistent vegetative state

Kids Definition

vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

1

: of, relating to, or functioning in nutrition and growth rather than reproduction

2

: of, relating to, or involving reproduction by other than sexual means

vegetatively adverb

Medical Definition

vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv 

1

a(1)

: growing or having the power of growing

(2)

: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions

a vegetative nucleus

b

: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods

2

: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom

3

: affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions

4

: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning typically indicated by a lack of awareness of oneself and one's environment and in which only involuntary bodily functions (as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained

entered a vegetative state following a serious head injury

vegetatively adverb