botany

noun

bot·​a·​ny ˈbä-tə-nē 

ˈbät-nē

plural botanies

1

: a branch of biology dealing with plant life

2

a

: plant life

b

: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group

3

: a botanical treatise or study

especially : a particular system of botany

botanist

ˈbä-tə-nist 

ˈbät-nist

noun

Examples of botany in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But anyone who understands basic botany knows the math doesn’t add up, and this has become a deceptive annual pattern. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2026

Neither of the two knew it yet, but the trip would pull Krukoff into a lifelong obsession with the plants and remedies of the Amazon, the world of economic botany, and, before long, the Flying Death. — Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026

Allison Autry, an orchid researcher and PhD candidate in the garden’s botany program, will lead a class covering the 30-plus orchid species native to California. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

With funds raised by Schaumberger’s family, Kaitlin’s Kitchen is the latest addition to the botany and culinary arts program at John Lewis Middle School, where students can take cooking to a more extensive level. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

botanic botanical + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for botany

• cottony
• ethnobotany
• monotony
• paleobotany

Kids Definition

botany

noun

bot·​a·​ny ˈbät-ᵊn-e 

ˈbät-ne

1

: a branch of biology dealing with plant life

2

a

: plant life (as of a given region)

b

: the biology of a plant or plant group

Medical Definition

botany

noun

bot·​a·​ny ˈbät-ᵊn-ē, ˈbät-nē 

plural botanies

1

: a branch of biology dealing with plant life

2

a

: plant life

b

: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group

3

: a botanical treatise or study

especially : a particular system of botany