Definition of plant
transitive verb
1a : to put or set in the ground for growth plant seedsb : to set or sow with seeds or plantsc : implant
2a : establish, instituteb : colonize, settlec : to place (animals) in a new localityd : to stock with animals
3a : to place in or on the groundb : to place firmly or forcibly planted a hard blow on his chin
4a : concealb : to covertly place for discovery, publication, or dissemination
intransitive verb
: to plant something
From the M-W Editors
Examples of plant in a Sentence
I planted corn this year.
I planted the border with roses.
a field planted with corn
She planted stakes in the garden to hold the vines.
I firmly planted my feet and refused to move.
He planted himself in front of the TV and stayed there.
Terrorists planted a bomb in the bus station.
She claims that the police planted the drugs in her car.
He was a spy planted in the office by a rival company.
Someone planted a rumor saying that he had died.
Origin and Etymology of plant
Middle English, from Old English plantian, from Late Latin plantare to plant, fix in place, from Latin, to plant, from planta plant
First Known Use: before 12th century
plant
Definition of plant
1a : a young tree, vine, shrub, or herb planted or suitable for plantingb : any of a kingdom (Plantae) of multicellular eukaryotic mostly photosynthetic organisms typically lacking locomotive movement or obvious nervous or sensory organs and possessing cellulose cell walls
2a : the land, buildings, machinery, apparatus, and fixtures employed in carrying on a trade or an industrial businessb : a factory or workshop for the manufacture of a particular product; also : power plantc : the total facilities available for production or serviced : the buildings and other physical equipment of an institution
3 : an act of planting
4 : something or someone planted
Examples of plant in a Sentence
The gangsters never suspected that he was a police plant.
a furniture plant that employs hundreds of people
Origin and Etymology of plant
Middle English plante, from Old English, from Latin planta
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Botany Terms
PLANT Defined for English Language Learners
plant
playDefinition of plant for English Language Learners
-
: to put (a seed, flower, or plant) in the ground to grow
-
: to fill (an area) with seeds, flowers, or plants
-
: to put or place (something) in the ground
plant
Definition of plant for English Language Learners
-
: a living thing that grows in the ground, usually has leaves or flowers, and needs sun and water to survive
-
: a building or factory where something is made
-
: the land, buildings, and equipment of an organization
PLANT Defined for Kids
Definition of plant for Students
planted
;planting
1 : to place in the ground to grow We'll plant seeds in the spring.
2 : to fill with seeds or plants plant a garden
3 : to set firmly in the ground They planted posts for a fence.
4 : to place firmly He planted himself on the couch.
5 : to introduce as a thought or idea
6 : to place (someone or something) secretly … the teacher thought that he was planted in the audience to pep up the discussion … — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Definition of plant for Students
1 : any member of the kingdom of many-celled mostly photosynthetic living things (as mosses, ferns, grasses, and trees) that lack a nervous system or sense organs and the ability to move about and that have cellulose cell walls
2 : the buildings and equipment of an industrial business or an institution a power plant
plantlike
\ˈplant-ˌlīk\ adjectiveLearn More about plant
-
See words that rhyme with plant Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plant Spanish Central: Translation of plant Nglish: Translation of plant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of plant for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up plant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!