vegetal

adjective

veg·​e·​tal ˈve-jə-tᵊl 

1

: vegetable

2

: vegetative

3

: of or relating to the vegetal pole of an egg or to that part of an egg from which the endoderm normally develops

vegetal blastomeres

Examples of vegetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the fish steams inside the packets, the leaves give off a vegetal base flavor and scent. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

The air that rushed under the sheets alongside her was as sweet and vegetal as tomato vines, scented with chlorophyll. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Grassy and vegetal are two other terms that commonly come up when discussing celery’s taste and smell. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2026

In this recipe from Il Gabbiano in Parma, earthy Swiss chard provides a vegetal backbone to the creamy filling and buttery sage sauce. — Filomena De Santis, Saveur, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetālis, from Late Latin vegetāre "to live, grow" + Latin -ālis -al entry 1 — more at vegetate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vegetal

• vegetal pole

Medical Definition

vegetal

adjective

veg·​e·​tal ˈvej-ət-ᵊl 

1

: vegetable

2

: of or relating to the vegetal pole of an egg or to that part of an egg from which the endoderm normally develops

vegetal blastomeres