botany

noun

bot·​a·​ny ˈbä-tə-nē How to pronounce botany (audio)
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 How to pronounce botany (audio)
ˈbät-nist
noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Dormon continued to work on conservation and botany for the remainder of her life. Josh Lew, Treehugger, 8 Mar. 2023 Watkins had her hands in hundreds of research projects on the space station, including a botany investigation focused on growing new crops in space. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Then, combine botany with astrology to find the best flower for your zodiac sign. Irene Richardson, Country Living, 1 Jan. 2023 The four daylong classes (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are geared toward beginners and include the history of bonsai, basic tree botany and horticultural challenges, design concepts, training techniques and bonsai display. Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2022 Returned from a long war, two brothers have taken up the peaceful art of botany. Thomas Meaney, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023 Her father, Donald Anderson, was a professor of botany at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and later at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Penelope Green, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Her father, Donald Anderson, was a professor of botany at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and later at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Penelope Green, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2023 Healthy plants and trees block harmful runoff from flowing into lakes — an increasingly important task as climate change intensifies rains, said Donald Waller, a retired professor of botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tanka Dhakal, Journal Sentinel, 5 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'botany.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

botanic botanical + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of botany was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near botany

Cite this Entry

“Botany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botany. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

botany

noun
bot·​a·​ny ˈbät-ᵊn-e How to pronounce botany (audio)
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 How to pronounce botany (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on botany

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY