horticulture

1 of 2

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯr-tə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rəl 

adjective

horticulturally

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rə-lē 

adverb

horticultural

2 of 2

adjective

hor·​ti·​cul·​tur·​al ¦hȯ(r)tə¦kəlch(ə)rəl 

-)tə¦-

1

: relating to horticulture

2

: produced under cultivation (as by breeding) compare botanical

horticulturally

-rəlē 

-li

adverb

Did you know?

Hortus is Latin for "garden", and the first gardens were planted about 10,000 years ago in what is often called the Fertile Crescent—the crescent-shaped area stretching from Israel north through Syria and down Iraq's two great rivers to the Persian Gulf. Probably more fertile in previous centuries than it is today, it was the original home of such food plants as wheat, barley, peas, and lentils or their ancient ancestors (not to mention the ancestors of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats as well). Many horticulturists today work as researchers or plant breeders or tend orchards and greenhouses—but most American households contain at least one amateur horticulturist.

Examples of horticulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Anthony Reardon is a horticulture agent with Johnson County, K-State University Extension. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026

Mayor Blake Roberts' family horticulture business has been part of the Forest Lake, Minnesota, community for generations. — Tony Peterson, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Speaking more about Virginia to CBS News, Tim and the couple's daughter Savannah referenced her love of horticulture. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin hortus garden + English -i- + culture — more at yard

First Known Use

Noun

1678, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horticulture

• agriculture
• apiculture
• aquaculture
• counterculture
• floriculture
• mariculture
• monoculture
• sericulture
• silviculture
• viticulture
• arboriculture
• culture

Kids Definition

horticulture

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯrt-ə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯrt-ə-ˈkəlch(-ə)-rəl 

adjective