botanical

1 of 2

adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈta-ni-kəl 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: derived from plants

3

: species

botanical tulips

botanically

bə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2

noun

plural botanicals

: a substance obtained or derived from a plant: such as

a

: a plant part or extract used especially in skin and hair care products

Certain botanicals are naturals for bringing out the best in the color and condition of the hair.

—Elle

b

: a medicinal preparation derived from a plant

The popular botanical ginkgo biloba does not improve memory, nor does it prevent cognitive decline in older people, according to the largest and longest scientific study conducted on the supplement.

—Elizabeth Weise

c

: plant material used as a flavoring agent (as in gin)

—usually plural

The makeup of gin is basically neutral grain spirits flavored with juniper and other botanicals, and reduced to no less than 80 proof with water.

—Emanuel and Madeline Greenberg

Examples of botanical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Think all black-and-white photos in different frames or a variety of botanical prints in the same frames. —Dina Cheney, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025

This super botanical blend acts almost as a lubricant to soothe irritation in the esophagus and support mucous membranes of the digestive tract. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 30 June 2025

Noun

The Spa is a 5,000-square-foot full-service facility for both resort guests and day spa visitors, offering a comprehensive menu of massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness therapies featuring minerals and botanicals from the local landscape. —Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

And here, too, everything links back to nature: Cocktail herbs and botanicals and ingredients found across all the restaurants are plucked directly from the property’s garden. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French botanique, from Greek botanikos of herbs, from botanē pasture, herb, from boskein to feed, graze; probably akin to Lithuanian guotas flock

First Known Use

Adjective

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing botanical

• botanical garden

Rhymes for botanical

• brahmanical
• mechanical
• tyrannical
• biomechanical
• thermomechanical
• electromechanical
• panicle
• puritanical

Kids Definition

botanical

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈtan-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: made or obtained from plants

botanical drugs

botanically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2 noun

: a usually cosmetic or medicinal product prepared from or containing a plant part or extract

also : the plant part or extract used in such a product

Medical Definition

botanical

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​tan·​i·​cal bə-ˈtan-i-kəl 

variants also botanic

bə-ˈtan-ik 

1

: of or relating to plants or botany

2

: derived from plants

botanically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

botanical

2 of 2 noun

variants also botanic

: a medicinal preparation derived from a plant : herbal remedy

The popular botanical ginkgo biloba does not improve memory, nor does it prevent cognitive decline in older people, according to the largest and longest scientific study conducted on the supplement.

—Elizabeth Weise, USA Today