botanical

adjective bo·tan·i·cal \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of botanical

1 : of or relating to plants or botany

2 : derived from plants

3 : species

botanical tulips

—

botanically

play \bə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See botanical defined for English-language learners

See botanical defined for kids

Recent Examples of botanical from the Web

Just one more important element in a project that fuses the artistic, the botanical, the mystical, and a substantial dose of generosity and goodwill.

— barbara schreiber, charlotteobserver, "This artist ‘sculpts’ in living trees and fruit. Here’s what he’s doing now in Charlotte," 11 July 2018
Beyond haircuts, shaves and beard trims, Castellon offers a botanical wash that starts with raw aloe vera hand-muddled in a molcajete.

— maggie menderski, The Courier-Journal, "NuLu's new barbershop is keeping patrons as fresh as the neighborhood," 10 July 2018
Get our daily newsletter Dr Wang knew from the botanical literature that most plants secrete from their roots a mixture of carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids that are food for microbes.

— The Economist, "A cheap way to save rice plants from the effects of acid rain," 12 July 2018
The artistic installation features 100 pounds of moss, lichens, other botanical specimens and string models of Einstein-Rosen bridges, or wormholes.

— christine clarridge, The Seattle Times, "Explore Seattle’s map of ‘high weirdness’: Ghost canoe, rumored troll, Hell Mouth — and more," 28 June 2018
The trees are the result of an era of feverish botanical exploration underwritten by the U.S. government in hopes of beautifying and diversifying what at the turn of the 20th century still felt like a very young America.

— daniel stone, Time, "How the Man Who Brought the Cherry Blossoms to Washington Narrowly Avoided a Diplomatic Crisis," 20 Mar. 2018
The entire botanical space exploration was captured by a GoPro and the imagery produced evokes an otherworldly version of Irving Penn’s famous flower studies.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "An Artist Has Frozen Flowers in Time, and Now You Can Shop Them at Opening Ceremony," 9 Feb. 2018
Between his Cuban roots, love for anything botanical, and emphasis on surreal qualities in his work, Brooks is truly a product of his surroundings.

— emily himes, miamiherald, "Emmy-nominated photographer draws inspiration from vintage South Florida," 26 June 2018
The process was pioneered in the mid-1880s by artist Anna Atkins to document botanical life.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mass Creativity Day brings kids, families together for an art-filled day of play," 21 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of botanical

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1627

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

botanical

noun

Definition of botanical

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

Recent Examples of botanical from the Web

Do some vineyard hopping or visit many of the microbreweries, but if spirits are more your thing, Margaret River Distilling Company crafts a range of whiskies, vodkas, and outstanding gins using native botanicals.

— christina liao, Vogue, "Why You Should Be Going to Australia for Fresh Black Truffles," 12 July 2018
The neutral spirit is distilled from grain or fruit, then botanicals are either infused into the spirit or added during a second distillation.

— jonah flicker, USA TODAY, "Celebrate World Gin Day in the USA," 8 June 2018
But the botanicals and essential oils awaken our senses, the lush suds overtake our dirty hands, and the packaging tickles the visual part of our brains.

— tyler watamanuk, New York Times, "When Did Soap, Once Simple, Get So Complicated?," 11 July 2018
Behind the Brand: Carl Thornfeldt, a dermatologist in Fruitland, ID, who’s done over 30 years of research on the skin barrier, inflammation, botanicals, and disease therapies.

— jolene edgar, Allure, "The Best Skin-Care Brands Created by Dermatologists, According to a Cosmetic Surgeon," 16 May 2018
Finally, the tonic is poured slowly down the twisted handle of the spoon to increase the bubbles and enhance the aromatic effect of the botanicals.

— lisa futterman, chicagotribune.com, "No mere gin and tonic: Spanish craze employs fruits and herbs to pause summer," 11 July 2018
Producing gin with a variety of botanicals and flavors gives cocktails like the martini, gin and tonic, and Martinez new twists.

— jonah flicker, USA TODAY, "Celebrate World Gin Day in the USA," 8 June 2018
The sip and see tasting includes gin-forward specialty cocktails priced at $5 each along with a lesson on native botanicals from Brownwood’s Nopalito Farms. 7 to 10 p.m. today.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego County restaurants start the season with summer specials," 21 June 2018
Without gluten, sulfates, or parabens, and packed with aloe and botanicals, these products take to skin beautifully, feel luxurious and nourishing, and look amazing both on your face and on your vanity.

— tynan sinks, Allure, "The Best Natural and Organic Makeup Brands That Makeup Artists Actually Use," 6 June 2018

First Known Use of botanical

1836

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

BOTANICAL Defined for English Language Learners

botanical

adjective

Definition of botanical for English Language Learners

: of or relating to plants or the study of plants
: made from or taken from plants

BOTANICAL Defined for Kids

botanical

adjective bo·tan·i·cal \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl \

Definition of botanical for Students

: of or relating to the study of plants

Medical Dictionary

botanical

adjective bo·tan·i·cal \ bə-ˈtan-i-kəl \

variants: also botanic play \bə-ˈtan-ik\

medical Definition of botanical

1 : of or relating to plants or botany

2 : derived from plants

—

botanically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

botanical

noun

variants: also botanic

medical Definition of botanical

: 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