germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
1
: to come into being : evolve
before Western civilization began to germinate—
A. L. Kroeber
A. L. Kroeber2
: to begin to grow : sprout
waiting for the seeds to germinate
Examples of germinate in a Sentence
methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds
Recent Examples on the Web
Pennsylvania sedge is best started from plugs in larger areas, as the seed is slow to germinate.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
In between times, there are long shots of the gingko, tree’s-eye views of what is happening on the ground and squelching closeups of germinating seeds – luscious and inescapably sensual.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
To be effective, pre-emergent herbicides must be applied before weed seeds germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Smart Innovation Considers Market Strategy from the Start Innovative individuals tend to focus on the creative and are eager to see the seeds of their ideas germinate into practical applications.
—John Spencer-Taylor, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
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Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
In between times, there are long shots of the gingko, tree’s-eye views of what is happening on the ground and squelching closeups of germinating seeds – luscious and inescapably sensual.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
To be effective, pre-emergent herbicides must be applied before weed seeds germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
Smart Innovation Considers Market Strategy from the Start Innovative individuals tend to focus on the creative and are eager to see the seeds of their ideas germinate into practical applications.
—John Spencer-Taylor, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Cite this Entry
“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germinate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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Medical Definition
germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
: to begin to grow : sprout
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