bud

1 of 2

noun

1
: a small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a plant that may develop into a flower, leaf, or shoot
2
: something not yet mature or at full development: such as
a
: an incompletely opened flower
b
c(1)
: an outgrowth of an organism that differentiates into a new individual : gemma
(2)
: an outgrowth having the potential to differentiate and grow into a definitive organ or part : primordium
an embryonic limb bud
3
: buddy
4
slang : marijuana
The dance floor is packed. Red and blue lights filter through cigarette and bud smoke.T-Love

bud

2 of 2

verb

budded; budding

intransitive verb

1
of a plant
a
: to set or put forth buds
b
: to commence growth from buds
2
: to grow or develop from or as if from a bud
3
: to reproduce asexually especially by the pinching off of a small part of the parent

transitive verb

1
: to produce or develop from buds
2
: to cause (a plant) to bud
3
: to insert a bud from a plant of one kind into an opening in the bark of (a plant of another kind) usually in order to propagate a desired variety
budder noun
Phrases
in the bud
: in an early stage of development
nipped the rebellion in the bud

Examples of bud in a Sentence

Noun The bush has plenty of buds but no flowers yet. that sitcom star is still a bud, so all he needs right now are looks and personality Verb The trees budded early this spring.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Peach trees may start flowering but don’t worry there are plenty of buds for normal fruit set. 41. Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024 The Beoplay Eleven is actually an offshoot of B&O’s Beoplay EX buds. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
For the scene, where Alana (King) and her budding love interest Derrick (Tyler Hynes) go to a Chiefs party at Arrowhead Stadium, Alana needed a dress that would be the perfect mélange of holiday and Kansas City chic. Hedy Phillips, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 There's something for the budding mixologist, the professional tailgater—even the coffee snob. Sarah Felbin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bud 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English budde

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bud was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bud

Cite this Entry

“Bud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bud. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bud

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small growth at the tip or on the side of a plant stem that later develops into a flower, leaf, or new shoot
2
: a flower that has not fully opened
3
: a part that grows out from the body of a plant or animal and develops into a new individual
4
: a stage in which something is not yet fully developed
trees in bud
a plan still in the bud

bud

2 of 2 verb
budded; budding
1
: to set or put forth buds
2
: to be or develop like a bud (as in freshness and promise of growth)
a budding diplomat
3
: to reproduce by the pinching off of a small part of the parent
budding yeast cells
4
: to insert a bud from one plant into an opening cut in the bark of (another plant) in order to grow a desired variety

Medical Definition

bud

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: an asexual reproductive structure
b
: a primordium having potentialities for growth and development into a definitive structure
an embryonic limb bud
a horn bud
2
: an anatomical structure (as a tactile corpuscle) resembling a bud

bud

2 of 2 intransitive verb
budded; budding
: to reproduce asexually especially by the pinching off of a small part of the parent

More from Merriam-Webster on bud

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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