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
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
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
Emanuel and Madeline Greenberg
Examples of botanical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebJustin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023
The botanical oil blends seamlessly, ensuring the invigorating mix of grapefruit, sage, and spearmint stays put.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
Gin Basil Smash The botanical fullness of gin makes the spirit an ideal match for vegetables.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023
At Lodhi Garden, a botanical sprawl in the heart of New Delhi that draws diplomats, government officials and the city’s wealthy residents, two groups led by trainers practiced yoga between coughing fits.
—Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
For the cleanest plant outlines, do this project when the midday sun is directly overhead and with botanical materials that lay flat.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Give the present of endless botanical possibilities this season with this propagation station.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
These natural options offer an appealing path to improving one's intimate experiences, relying on the power of herbal ingredients, botanical extracts, and holistic approaches.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2023
And its newest stay, Life House Palm Springs, not only channels the town’s golden age of glamour but also incorporates Japanese influences and botanical elements.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023
Linnea Covington, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
The drink is essentially a Screwdriver with a spike of liqueur that has some 30 botanicals but tastes distinctly of vanilla.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2023
The Dried Autumn Pumpkin Wreath honors the harvest season with a fiery mix of organic and life-like botanicals.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Find it on Amazon Stick Some Dried Flowers in the Christmas Tree
One of the hottest trends this season is to incorporate botanicals into the holiday decor.
—Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2023
Indoor/Outdoor Use Fall wreaths are made from a variety of materials ranging from live, preserved, and faux botanicals.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Formulated with under 10 ingredients– including macadamia nut– the Chilean-Australian founder Pia Whitesell developed the balm with organic, native Australian botanicals to hydrate and protect your face and body.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 12 Oct. 2023
This has taken me everywhere from foraging for botanicals in Ireland to truffle hunting in Italy and visiting vineyards in Mendoza.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 9 Oct. 2023
The Ultimate Chill Blend is available in two delightful flavors: chocolate mint and a refreshing blend of various botanicals.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
Every inch of surface area is covered by astrological symbols, narrative reliefs, elephants, botanical motifs — a visual catalogue of Hinduism, conceived by someone who abhors blankness.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023
The botanical oil blends seamlessly, ensuring the invigorating mix of grapefruit, sage, and spearmint stays put.
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
Gin Basil Smash The botanical fullness of gin makes the spirit an ideal match for vegetables.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023
At Lodhi Garden, a botanical sprawl in the heart of New Delhi that draws diplomats, government officials and the city’s wealthy residents, two groups led by trainers practiced yoga between coughing fits.
—Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
For the cleanest plant outlines, do this project when the midday sun is directly overhead and with botanical materials that lay flat.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Give the present of endless botanical possibilities this season with this propagation station.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
These natural options offer an appealing path to improving one's intimate experiences, relying on the power of herbal ingredients, botanical extracts, and holistic approaches.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2023
And its newest stay, Life House Palm Springs, not only channels the town’s golden age of glamour but also incorporates Japanese influences and botanical elements.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023
Noun
Soak in hops and other botanicals inspired by the monthly featured brewery.
—Linnea Covington, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
The drink is essentially a Screwdriver with a spike of liqueur that has some 30 botanicals but tastes distinctly of vanilla.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2023
The Dried Autumn Pumpkin Wreath honors the harvest season with a fiery mix of organic and life-like botanicals.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Find it on Amazon Stick Some Dried Flowers in the Christmas Tree
One of the hottest trends this season is to incorporate botanicals into the holiday decor.
—Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2023
Indoor/Outdoor Use Fall wreaths are made from a variety of materials ranging from live, preserved, and faux botanicals.
—Staff Author, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2023
Formulated with under 10 ingredients– including macadamia nut– the Chilean-Australian founder Pia Whitesell developed the balm with organic, native Australian botanicals to hydrate and protect your face and body.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 12 Oct. 2023
This has taken me everywhere from foraging for botanicals in Ireland to truffle hunting in Italy and visiting vineyards in Mendoza.
—Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 9 Oct. 2023
The Ultimate Chill Blend is available in two delightful flavors: chocolate mint and a refreshing blend of various botanicals.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botanical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing botanical
Dictionary Entries Near botanical
Cite this Entry
“Botanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botanical. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
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
1
: of or relating to plants or botany
2
: derived from plants
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
Elizabeth Weise, USA Today
More from Merriam-Webster on botanical
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for botanical
Britannica English: Translation of botanical for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about botanical
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share