germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

1

: to come into being : evolve

… before Western civilization began to germinate …

—A. L. Kroeber

2

: to begin to grow : sprout

waiting for the seeds to germinate

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

germinative

ˈjər-mə-ˌnā-tiv  -mə-nə- 

adjective

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds

Recent Examples on the Web

The intense, carrion-like odor of the slime attracts insects, which then eat the slime and excrete it, with the spores later germinating in the excrement. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026

Use a mist or light shower setting to water new seed regularly to keep the top layer of soil moist until the seeds germinate. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

The key is choosing varieties that germinate quickly, thrive in warmth, and don't require a long blooming season to put on a show. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026

As soon as the seeds germinate, and the first new growth spotted, give the seedlings a full-sun exposure. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin germinatus, past participle of germinare to sprout, from germin-, germen bud, germ

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for germinate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

1

: to cause to sprout or develop

2

: to begin to grow : sprout

3

: to come into being : evolve

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to begin to grow : sprout

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun