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 epicotyl
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the seed manages to grow, nearby fast-growing weeds will outpace the new seedlings, preventing light from reaching the young grass. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2026

Echoing Sardinas, Amico agrees that fall is the best time to plant milkweed, both as seeds and seedlings. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026

The babies in their bassinets laid out like seedlings in a plot, head to toe, toe to head. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Check the surrounding area for small seedlings with shallow roots. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling
• wheedling

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