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

Its chill, which ushers in a muted botanical kick, is the opposite of the sizzling heat and in this case, opposites certainly attract. — Liza Weisstuch, BostonGlobe.com, "When it’s hot, buckle and make a Bee’s Knees," 15 July 2019 The study, published in June in Scientific Reports, adds to a small clump of botanical eclipse research, all produced by people with the ability to wonder, even as a celestial event occurs: What are the plants getting up to? — New York Times, "During a Solar Eclipse, What Are Plants Doing?," 2 July 2019 The cocktail bar menu includes SanTan's Sacred Stave whiskeys and botanical spirits, plus cocktails and food. — Lauren Saria, azcentral, "Tacos, sushi, pizza and doughnuts: 16 new restaurants that opened in metro Phoenix in June," 2 July 2019 Noteworthy botanical specimens include the Moreton Bay fig north of the Natural History Museum. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Balboa Park: San Diego’s crown jewel," 30 June 2019 Using inspiration from nature, their work is heavily influenced by botanical elements and uses classic color palettes for balance. — Angela Watercutter And Samantha Cooper, WIRED, "5 Queer People on How They Found Their Chosen Families," 28 June 2019 The painting was done en plein air (painted from life, on site) at a botanical conservatory in Toronto. — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, "Artist Darby Milbrath Collaborated With Celine on an Embroidered Bomber Jacket," 27 June 2019 Given its long history in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, the ancient botanical isn't exactly a new discovery. — Paige Stables, Good Housekeeping, "Bakuchiol is 'Nature's Retinol' That Will Change Your Skin," 27 June 2019 To make matters more interesting, the botanical name of this one is Mangifera casturi. — Kenneth Setzer, sun-sentinel.com, "What is the mysterious blue mango?," 25 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The owners forage many of the botanicals themselves. — Brooke Sabin, National Geographic, "How to explore the world like Gordon Ramsay," 15 July 2019 Take a room with a floral-patterned headboard and framed drawings of crustaceans, or another adorned with warm renderings of botanicals. — Vogue, "The Royal Family Has Opened a New Bed and Breakfast," 15 May 2019 The trend toward these natural ingredients has become so buzzy that vodka brand Ketel One last year launched a botanicals line that’s gin-ish. — John Kell, Fortune, "Gin Sales Are Booming and It Could Be Thanks to the Growing Plant Craze," 22 June 2019 There are over 12 patents on our botanicals and over 15 clinical studies. — Lisa Fogarty, Harper's BAZAAR, "Biotin Is in Every Hair Growth Pill. But Does it Even Work?," 22 May 2019 Alano said of the 2018 debut of the high-end Italian design company’s forward-looking 2018 home collection: The theme was an Eden-like paradise of vivid garden florals, bold botanicals and wildlife. — Bonnie Mccarthy, latimes.com, "Cultivating Style: The no-fail way to live with plants," 15 June 2019 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

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

19 Jul 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