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bo·tan·i·cal | \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl 
\
\Definition of botanical
(Entry 1 of 2)
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 pluralThe 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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Other Words from botanical
Adjective
botanically \ bə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbExamples of botanical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Late cast bronze sculptures look both botanical and bestial.
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Julianne Mcshane, New York Times, "Labor Day Art Guide: Summer Shows to See Before They Close," 29 Aug. 2019 That has helped to open consumers’ palates to different herbal and botanical flavors.
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Anne Marie Chaker, WSJ, "Shots Go On a Health Kick," 23 June 2019 The Peach Blossom Leaf Face Mask ($9.99 for a pack of six; amazon.com) contains a range of natural botanical extracts, including peach, cactus, aloe vera and algae.
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Nikhita Mahtani, CNN Underscored, "10 top-rated sheet masks you can buy on Amazon right now," 11 Sep. 2019 Judges from around the country will have ranked the divisions of floral design, horticulture, photography and botanical arts.
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Maria Shine Stewart, cleveland.com, "So much to do, it boggles the mind: Sun Messages," 2 Sep. 2019 Employ the use of a botanical fungicide like neem oil for lower toxicity.
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oregonlive.com, "Why isn’t this wisteria blooming? Ask an expert," 16 Aug. 2019 The glass flowers are marvels: so exacting in detail as to be a kind of botanical virtual reality, only this version of VR is analog and in three dimensions.
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Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "At Harvard, glass flowers that perfect the imperfection of decay," 5 Sep. 2019 The fund is perhaps best known for donating $7 million to the Como Park Conservatory, whose botanical flower garden was renamed in honor of McNeely’s late wife, Marjorie, in 2002.
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Mary Divine, Twin Cities, "Science Museum’s Warner Nature Center in Washington County to be shuttered," 5 Sep. 2019 Rooms have a chic Restoration Hardware vibe, with whitewashed walls, neutral fabrics, and framed botanical prints.
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Andrea Whittle, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Locals' Guide to Venice," 4 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Monkey 47, for example, has classic botanicals like juniper and coriander but also lingonberries and spruce.
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John Kell, Fortune, "Gin Sales Are Booming and It Could Be Thanks to the Growing Plant Craze," 22 June 2019 Unknown in Europe until the 17thcentury, tuberose was one of Marie Antoinette’s favorite exotic botanicals (the specimen in her garden was imported from Central America), and a key ingredient in her beloved Parfum de Trianon.
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April Long, Town & Country, "Is Tuberose the Sexiest Fragrance Note?," 13 Sep. 2019 Made with vodka and infused with fruits and botanicals, the liquors come in flavor combinations like cucumber and mint or peach and orange blossom.
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Fortune, "Goodbye, Orange Creamsicle Vodka: Brands Like Absolut and Ketel One Want to Get In on the Wellness Movement," 24 Aug. 2019 This beer ale is floral, drawing botanicals from being aged in vermouth barrels.
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Andre Meunier, oregonlive.com, "I tried 17 beers at the Oregon Brewers Festival; here’s how they rate," 25 July 2019 Produced in England's oldest gin distillery in copper gin stills dating back to the 19th century, the gin is made from oats and botanicals—including juniper and lavender—planted by the bishops of Winchester in the 1600s.
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Rachel King, Fortune, "The Iconic Castle on ‘Downton Abbey’ Is Bringing Its London Dry Gin to the U.S.," 17 Aug. 2019 That renowned hospitality extends to the spa, an intimate and tastefully designed setting where you’ll be treated to an array of services using indigenous essential oils, minerals and botanicals.
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Sarah Kuta, The Know, "Serious self-care: A guide to Colorado’s must-visit spas," 30 July 2019 Margaret River Distilling Company’s Giniversity offers immersive experiences distilling or blending one’s own gin using botanicals native to the region.
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Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood's Travel Guide to Western Australia," 16 July 2019 Products like RevitaLash RevitaBrow Conditioner can also help by boosting brow growth with peptides and botanicals.
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Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 20 Best Instant Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets," 24 June 2019
See MoreThese 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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More Definitions for botanical
botanical
adjectiveEnglish 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
adjectivebo·tan·i·cal | \ bə-ˈta-ni-kəl \
\Kids Definition of botanical
: of or relating to the study of plants
botanical
adjectivebo·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
Other Words from botanical
botanically \ -k(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbbotanical
nounvariants:
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
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