Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

graft

noun (1)
Save Word
\ ˈgraft How to pronounce graft (audio) \

Definition of graft

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1a : a grafted (see graft entry 2 sense transitive 1) plant
b : scion sense 1
c : the point of insertion of a scion upon a stock
2a : the act of grafting
b : something grafted specifically : living tissue used in grafting

graft

verb (1)
grafted; grafting; grafts

Definition of graft (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to cause (a scion) to unite with a stock also : to unite (plants or scion and stock) to form a graft
b : to propagate (see propagate sense transitive 1) (a plant) by grafting
2a : to join or unite as if by grafting
b : to attach (a chemical unit) to a main molecular chain
3 : to implant (living tissue) surgically

intransitive verb

1 : to become grafted
2 : to perform grafting

graft

noun (2)

Definition of graft (Entry 3 of 5)

chiefly British
: work, labor

graft

verb (2)
grafted; grafting; grafts

Definition of graft (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

: to get (illicit gain) by graft

intransitive verb

: to practice graft

graft

noun (3)

Definition of graft (Entry 5 of 5)

: the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways also : illegal or unfair gain

Illustration of graft

Illustration of graft

Noun (1)

graft 1c: a scion, b stock

In the meaning defined above

Other Words from graft

Verb (1)

grafter noun

First Known Use of graft

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1853, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1859, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (3)

1865, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for graft

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English graffe, grafte, from Anglo-French greffe, graife stylus, graph, from Medieval Latin graphium, from Latin, stylus, from Greek grapheion, from graphein to write — more at carve

Noun (2)

English dialect graft, verb, to work

Verb (2) and Noun (3)

origin unknown

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about graft

Statistics for graft

Time Traveler for graft

The first known use of graft was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for graft

graft

noun
\ ˈgraft How to pronounce graft (audio) \

Kids Definition of graft

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a plant that has a twig or bud from another plant attached to it so they are joined and grow together
2 : something (as a piece of skin or a plant bud) that is joined to something similar so as to grow together
3 : something (as money or advantage) gotten in a dishonest way and especially by betraying a public trust

graft

verb
grafted; grafting

Kids Definition of graft (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to attach a twig or bud from one plant to another plant so they are joined and grow together
2 : to join one thing to another as if by grafting graft skin
3 : to gain dishonestly

Other Words from graft

grafter noun

graft

transitive verb
\ ˈgraft How to pronounce graft (audio) \

Medical Definition of graft

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to implant (living tissue) surgically grafted a new piece of artery into the ruptured portion of the old artery

intransitive verb

: to perform grafting

graft

noun

Medical Definition of graft (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act of grafting
2 : something grafted specifically : living tissue used in grafting

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on graft

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for graft

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with graft

Spanish Central: Translation of graft

Nglish: Translation of graft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of graft for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about graft

Comments on graft

What made you want to look up graft? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

fortitude

Listen to the pronounciation of fortitude

strength of mind

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Pass the Little Ribbons: A Pasta Word Quiz

  • pasta resembling wheels with spokes
  • Match the pasta to its meaning in English: Rotelle
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games