botanical

adjective

bo·tan·i·cal | \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl

Definition of botanical

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to plants or botany

2 : derived from plants

3 : species botanical tulips

botanical

noun

plural botanicals

Definition of botanical (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

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Examples of botanical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Following the success of her Chelsea Garden Show display earlier this month, the Duchess of Cambridge is taking on another botanical design project. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Is Designing Another Garden This Season, for the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival," 29 May 2019 Where to Eat & Drink Begin your morning with a boost at Taller de Te, a shop with over 90 botanical blends made from ancestral herbs sustainably sourced from Colombian farmers. — Michaela Trimble, Vogue, "An Insider’s Guide to Chapinero Alto, the Williamsburg of Bogotá," 12 Apr. 2019 Other botanical extracts, like algae, thyme, and marjoram are added to intensely hydrate, reinforce your skin barrier, and retain more water. — Glamour, "This Moisturizer Instantly Gives Me Dewy Dumpling Skin," 11 Mar. 2019 Therefore, patients with sensitive skin or known allergies to botanical ingredients may need to be extra cautious when using an oil. — Jenn Sinrich, SELF, "What You Should Know Before Using a Trendy New Face Oil," 13 Mar. 2019 Etsy offers a wide selections of prints, from botanical to murals. — Michelle Higgins, The Seattle Times, "How to dress up a dorm room," 25 Sep. 2018 They were made from botanical substances such as beet juice or onion skins. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, "The History of Easter Eggs and Why They're Decorated," 25 Feb. 2019 Because many hyperpigmentation-fighting products can lighten skin tones altogether, Adoh made it a point to include a marine botanical called plankton extract that is safe for anyone to use. — Akili King, Vogue, "Meet Epara, the Luxury Skin-Care Line Designed for Women of Color," 2 Feb. 2019 Expert tip: opt for botanical motifs in a mix of shapes, from blouson day dresses to silhouettes with a bit of sleek polish. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Ultimate Honeymoon Packing List," 25 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some common culprits include fragrances, preservatives, and botanicals. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How to Care for Your Angry Skin After an Allergic Reaction on Your Face," 2 Apr. 2019 Wash it across your tongue, and let the botanicals sketch out in your mind’s eye their point of origin, each sip like liquid GPS. — Sunset, "6 Botanical Gins We’re Loving Right Now," 22 Jan. 2018 My new nighttime skin-care favorite contains peptides and botanicals to improve blood flow and reduce puffiness. — Tiffany Dodson, SELF, "Ulta Is Having a 50 Percent Off Sale on Skin-Care—Here’s Everything I Want," 18 Jan. 2019 Each product is infused with active, phytochemically rich botanicals, offering an endless range of benefits for the health of the skin. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "Meet the Eckhaus Latta–Approved Herbalist With a Prescription for Balanced Skin and Less Stress," 4 Jan. 2019 The liquid will be made from English grapes, herbs, roots and bitter botanicals, and is aimed at consumers who want a nonalcoholic option to drink with food. — Jennifer Maloney, WSJ, "As Americans Drink Less Alcohol, Booze Makers Look Beyond the Barrel," 17 Jan. 2019 If your skin tends to feel and look dry by midday, simply infuse its surface with a light essence laced with glycerin and natural botanicals such as Olay Mist Ultimate Hydration Essence with Vitamin C and Bergamot. — Nicole Catanese, Marie Claire, "5 Ways to Supercharge Your Skincare Products," 10 Dec. 2018 Start with bareMinerals Blemish Rescue Anti-Redness Mattifying Primer, which soothes with minerals and botanicals and contains natural oil-absorbers like sulfur and clay — plus, the green pigment neutralize redness. — Beth Janes, Seventeen, "What to Do the *Second* a Pimple Appears," 7 Aug. 2018 Pour le Monde perfumes are created exclusively from essential oils and extractions from botanicals, natural grain alcohol, and distilled water. — Good Housekeeping, "Pour le Monde, New Fragrances without Synthetics," 11 Nov. 2013

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'botanical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near botanical

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Last Updated

7 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for botanical

The first known use of botanical was in 1627

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More Definitions for botanical

botanical

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of botanical

: of or relating to plants or the study of plants

: made from or taken from plants

See the full definition for botanical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

botanical

adjective

bo·tan·i·cal | \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl

Kids Definition of botanical

: of or relating to the study of plants

botanical

adjective

bo·tan·i·cal | \ bə-ˈtan-i-kəl

variants: also botanic \ bə-ˈtan-ik

Medical Definition of botanical

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to plants or botany

2 : derived from plants

botanical

noun

variants: also botanic

Medical Definition of botanical (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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, 30 Dec. 2009