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

But this year, members of the Larimer County Conservation Corps say conditions are simply too dry for new seedlings to survive. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Bradley says to avoid using coffee grounds when planting seeds or when plants are seedlings as the grounds can inhibit seed germination and stunt the growth of young plants. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026

Cutworms often sever plants at the soil line, especially young seedlings, causing a complete loss of the plants. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

This layer of debris chokes off sunlight needed by the seedlings below and reduces the number that emerge to replace the trees lost during the storm, ultimately slowing the forest’s recovery. —John Kominoski, The Conversation, 10 June 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