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 GreenbergExamples of botanical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAlexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
This is in sharp contrast to other vendors, who are forced to add botanical terpenes to their final products that don’t produce the same effects.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Jess uses this herb as an essential ingredient for many of her recipes, including an unexpected combo with rose for the Secret Garden potion and botanical fire starters found in her book.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, rosehip oil, botanical extracts Best for Acne-Prone Skin
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner
Pros
The toner features witch hazel, which soothes irritation and reduces redness, helping to diminish the look of breakouts.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
She is credited with naming and cataloging hundreds of native plants in the Hudson River Valley using Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus’ then-new binomial system of botanical nomenclature.
—Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Portmeirion Deviled Egg Plate Deviled eggs are a staple at Easter gatherings, and this botanical plate is a beautiful way to display them.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Gentian is the only specific botanical acknowledged on the label of vital cocktail bitters Angostura.
—M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
It was founded in 1859 and is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the states.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
There’s no need to lug in a 6-foot specimen tree to add bodacious botanicals into your home, because even the smallest planters can make a big impact when intentionally pairing striking foliage with a unique vessel.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
Incorporating sustainable, organic textiles featuring botanicals, flora, and fauna into their design is one way of achieving this.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
This one also works to fight lines and wrinkles with the help of botanicals.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Though clearly related, White Negronis made with classic French gentian liqueurs are notably different on the palate from their red cousins, largely because of how the botanicals in those liqueurs differ from red Italian bitters.
—M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The small speakeasy-like spot offers Instagram-worthy mocktails using in-house syrups made from herbs, spices and botanicals.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024
That’s because the key botanicals used to flavor the spirit—rose petals and cucumber—were considered to be unusual at the time.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
The spa, voted one of the world’s best by Travel & Leisure, is a must for treatments inspired by the healing Ojo waters and native botanicals of the high desert.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Adjective
This botanical lesson was on a recent visit to Loisaba Lodo Springs, the newest addition to the Elewana Collection, which operates 15 camps and lodges across Kenya and Tanzania.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
This is in sharp contrast to other vendors, who are forced to add botanical terpenes to their final products that don’t produce the same effects.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Jess uses this herb as an essential ingredient for many of her recipes, including an unexpected combo with rose for the Secret Garden potion and botanical fire starters found in her book.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, rosehip oil, botanical extracts Best for Acne-Prone Skin
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner
Pros
The toner features witch hazel, which soothes irritation and reduces redness, helping to diminish the look of breakouts.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
She is credited with naming and cataloging hundreds of native plants in the Hudson River Valley using Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus’ then-new binomial system of botanical nomenclature.
—Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
Portmeirion Deviled Egg Plate Deviled eggs are a staple at Easter gatherings, and this botanical plate is a beautiful way to display them.
—Bridget Degnan, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Gentian is the only specific botanical acknowledged on the label of vital cocktail bitters Angostura.
—M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
It was founded in 1859 and is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the states.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
The ingredients include powerful botanicals like white mulberry, and Indian barberry that will help boost metabolism, stabilize blood glucose levels, and thus promote healthy weight loss.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
There’s no need to lug in a 6-foot specimen tree to add bodacious botanicals into your home, because even the smallest planters can make a big impact when intentionally pairing striking foliage with a unique vessel.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
Incorporating sustainable, organic textiles featuring botanicals, flora, and fauna into their design is one way of achieving this.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
This one also works to fight lines and wrinkles with the help of botanicals.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2024
Though clearly related, White Negronis made with classic French gentian liqueurs are notably different on the palate from their red cousins, largely because of how the botanicals in those liqueurs differ from red Italian bitters.
—M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The small speakeasy-like spot offers Instagram-worthy mocktails using in-house syrups made from herbs, spices and botanicals.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024
That’s because the key botanicals used to flavor the spirit—rose petals and cucumber—were considered to be unusual at the time.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
The spa, voted one of the world’s best by Travel & Leisure, is a must for treatments inspired by the healing Ojo waters and native botanicals of the high desert.
—Anna Haines, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near botanical
Cite this Entry
“Botanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botanical. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 TodayLove words? Need even more definitions?
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