SINCE 1828
botanical
adjective
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 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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Other Words from botanical
Adjective
botanically
\ bə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of botanical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
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 Henriksen is a fan of the oil, too, and uses it in his anti-aging line, Transform Plus, which also includes bakuchiol, a botanical retinol alternative, and lemon extract. — Jennifer Goldstein, Marie Claire, "How To Spice Up Your Skincare Routine," 18 Jan. 2019 That means rose-quartz gua sha tools to gently massage and sculpt the face, and a velvet pillow (hand-tinted with botanical dyes) for subsequent lounging. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "The Best Beauty Gifts for Your Horoscope-Obsessed Friend by Astrological Sign," 13 Dec. 2018 The brand offers a variety of gorgeous, colorful prints; this one in particular features a reversible watercolor design on the front with a more subtle botanical print on the back. — Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, "6 Best Duvet Covers, According to Textile Experts," 21 Dec. 2018 Rooms are unfussy, lots of white and gray, but with pops of emerald green or cobalt blue, brass fixtures, as well custom wallpaper patterned with native plants and botanical prints from the great Pacific Northwest artist Imogen Cunningham. — Rebecca Misner, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Portland, OR, in January 2019," 20 Dec. 2018 Marijuana comes from a plant with the botanical name cannabis. — Martin Weil, Washington Post, "Prince George’s student grows ill after eating brownie, police say," 20 Apr. 2018 Urban parks are always artificial constructs—the streams of Central Park can be turned off like taps—but Zaryadye Park goes all out with inventive twists at every botanical, technological and educational turn. — Julie V. Iovine, WSJ, "The Most Ambitious Park in Russia," 25 July 2018 Fun fact: Jorgensen’s mother is a professional botanical illustrator who draws the plants that grace the bottle’s label. — Sunset, "6 Botanical Gins We’re Loving Right Now," 22 Jan. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
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 Month Thanks in large part to Australia’s captivating native botanicals, the local gin scene is stealthily becoming one of the world’s most exciting drinks movements, and Brogan’s Way, in semi-industrial Richmond, is the ideal place to find out why. — Dan F. Stapleton, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Melbourne in October 2018," 26 Sep. 2018 Enter under a multi-limbed Banyan tree, where a grand apothecary is stacked with local botanicals for health, beauty, and culinary use. — David Jefferys, Condé Nast Traveler, "Puerto Rico's Dorado Beach Is a Bit of Bali, Three Hours from Home," 12 Nov. 2018These 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
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
Other Words from botanical
botanically
\ -k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
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
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