bud

1 of 2

noun

ˈbəd 

1

: a small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a plant that may develop into a flower, leaf, or shoot

2

: something not yet mature or at full development: such as

a

: an incompletely opened flower

b

: child, youth

c(1)

: an outgrowth of an organism that differentiates into a new individual : gemma

(2)

: an outgrowth having the potential to differentiate and grow into a definitive organ or part : primordium

an embryonic limb bud

3

: buddy

4

slang : marijuana

The dance floor is packed. Red and blue lights filter through cigarette and bud smoke.

—T-Love

see also:

in the bud

bud

2 of 2

verb

budded; budding

intransitive verb

1

of a plant

a

: to set or put forth buds

b

: to commence growth from buds

2

: to grow or develop from or as if from a bud

3

: to reproduce asexually especially by the pinching off of a small part of the parent

transitive verb

1

: to produce or develop from buds

2

: to cause (a plant) to bud

3

: to insert a bud from a plant of one kind into an opening in the bark of (a plant of another kind) usually in order to propagate a desired variety

budder noun

Synonyms of bud

Noun

• kid
• child
• cub

Examples of bud in a Sentence

Noun

The bush has plenty of buds but no flowers yet.

that sitcom star is still a bud, so all he needs right now are looks and personality

Verb

The trees budded early this spring.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Originally debuted in 2021, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Lucky Spring collection features a bevy of seasonal motifs from ladybugs to Lily of the Valley buds, delicate foliage and butterflies. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

The company also boasts about their IPX4 water-resistance rating—which isn’t the best on the market, but definitely expected for ANC-heavy wireless buds. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 20 July 2026

Verb

That left the stage for Richardson (and deprived fans of the budding rivalry between the training partners). — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Today, the company is still going strong, with dozens of fighters actively competing at shows across the region and numerous budding performers training at Supreme Pro Wrestling’s Yuba City academy. — Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English budde

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bud

• bud scale
• cotton bud
• flower bud
• in the bud
• lateral bud
• leaf bud
• mixed bud
• nip (something) in the bud
• taste bud

Rhymes for bud

• blood
• crud
• dud
• flood
• mud
• rud
• scud
• spud
• stud
• thud
• lifeblood
• youngblood

Kids Definition

bud

1 of 2 noun

ˈbəd 

1

: a small growth at the tip or on the side of a plant stem that later develops into a flower, leaf, or new shoot

2

: a flower that has not fully opened

3

: a part that grows out from the body of a plant or animal and develops into a new individual

4

: a stage in which something is not yet fully developed

trees in bud

a plan still in the bud

bud

2 of 2 verb

budded; budding

1

: to set or put forth buds

2

: to be or develop like a bud (as in freshness and promise of growth)

a budding diplomat

3

: to reproduce by the pinching off of a small part of the parent

budding yeast cells

4

: to insert a bud from one plant into an opening cut in the bark of (another plant) in order to grow a desired variety

Medical Definition

bud

1 of 2 noun

ˈbəd 

1

a

: an asexual reproductive structure

b

: a primordium having potentialities for growth and development into a definitive structure

an embryonic limb bud

a horn bud

2

: an anatomical structure (as a tactile corpuscle) resembling a bud

bud

2 of 2 intransitive verb

budded; budding

: to reproduce asexually especially by the pinching off of a small part of the parent