Main Entry: ger·mi·nate

Pronunciation: \ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ger·mi·nat·ed; ger·mi·nat·ing

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to begin to grow : sprout

—ger·mi·na·tion \ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun