plant

verb \ ˈplant \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: plant in a Sentence

Definition of plant

transitive verb

1 a : to put or set in the ground for growth

plant seeds

b : to set or sow with seeds or plants

c : implant

2 a : establish, institute

b : colonize, settle

c : to place (animals) in a new locality

d : to stock with animals

3 a : to place in or on the ground

b : to place firmly or forcibly

planted a hard blow on his chin

4 a : conceal

b : to covertly place for discovery, publication, or dissemination

intransitive verb

: to plant something

—

plantable

play \ˈplan-tə-bəl\ adjective

See plant defined for English-language learners

See plant defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of plant from the Web

The company also agreed to plant trees, add benches and a trash can, and make other improvements.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Panera Bread will open, then Hilton Garden Inn. Entryway to Downtown Boise takes shape," 6 June 2018
The family hasn't done much work on the land, aside from planting 250 olive trees, Express notes.

— jennifer earl, Fox News, "Google Maps users intrigued by heart-shaped island caught on satellite," 31 May 2018
The initial plan called for planting the fruit trees along the entire stretch of Marigny between the lake and U.S. 190.

— kim chatelain, NOLA.com, "'Incredible Edible' forest takes root in Mandeville," 23 May 2018
Then Kate Sessions struck a deal to plant trees and shrubs in exchange for permission to run a commercial nursery there, and landscaping began.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Annual festival Saturday celebrates 150th anniversary of Balboa Park's founding," 22 May 2018
The North Korean leader shared a host of warm moments with South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in: holding hands, planting a tree and chatting privately for about 30 minutes.

— Bloomberg.com, "One Small Step Across the Border Between Two Koreas," 27 Apr. 2018
The group also went to Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum, the Biblical Zoo and the Davidson Center, all in Jerusalem, and had the opportunity to plant trees.

— carin m. smilk, Jewish Journal, "Birthright trip inspires and empowers young adults with special needs," 25 Apr. 2018
The Naperville parks department is joining in the effort and has committed to planting fruit trees at many locations.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Suburban Cooks: Recipe for food-producing garden," 20 Apr. 2018
Ramona Tree Trust President Diane Conklin said the nonprofit has planted roughly 80 trees in the colonnade, hand-watering each for many years after planting.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Design groups weigh mixed-use densities, historic trees," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

plant Synonyms

plant

noun

Definition of plant

1 a : a young tree, vine, shrub, or herb planted or suitable for planting

b : 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

2 a : the land, buildings, machinery, apparatus, and fixtures employed in carrying on a trade or an industrial business

b : a factory or workshop for the manufacture of a particular product; also : power plant

c : the total facilities available for production or service

d : the buildings and other physical equipment of an institution

3 : an act of planting

4 : something or someone planted

—

plantlike

play \ˈplant-ˌlīk\ adjective

See plant defined for English-language learners

Examples of plant in a Sentence

The gangsters never suspected that he was a police plant.
a furniture plant that employs hundreds of people

Recent Examples of plant from the Web

Some porches welcome plants and resemble solariums.

— cassie owens, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Latinos connect with Caribbean roots through ornate porch gates," 5 July 2018
Just a few hours before the announcement, the EPA had released a draft rule on coal plants to replace the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.

— maya miller, Scientific American, "Embattled EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Resigns--What's Next?," 5 July 2018
The threatened plant closure made Heinz ketchup a target of consumers even before the trade spat.

— The Economist, "To resist Trump, Canadians try local ketchup," 5 July 2018
Established native garden plants should need no irrigation through summer.

— nan sterman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "July in the garden," 5 July 2018
Several of the battles Pruitt launched against regulations, such as the aggressive fuel economy standards championed by California and the federal Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing electricity plant emissions, are likely to endure for years.

— evan halper, latimes.com, "Embattled EPA chief Scott Pruitt resigns amid scandals," 5 July 2018
Those 21 or older can carry up to an ounce of cannabis and grow as many as six plants — two mature and four immature.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "What To Know About Recreational Marijuana Sales in Massachusetts," 5 July 2018
Meanwhile reports have indicated that nuclear plants themselves are becoming prime targets for hackers.

— don santa, Houston Chronicle, "Commentary: Administration’s action on coal, nuclear solves a problem that doesn’t exist," 5 July 2018
Last week, 19 activists were handed suspended sentences for breaking into another nuclear plant last November.

— lucia i. suarez sang, Fox News, "Greenpeace activists crash Superman-shaped drone into French nuclear plant," 4 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of plant

Middle English plante, from Old English, from Latin planta

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

plant Synonyms

Synonyms

factory, manufactory, mill, shop, works, workshop;

Related Words

sweatshop;

atelier, studio, workplace, workroom;

yard;

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

PLANT Defined for English Language Learners

plant

verb

Definition 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

noun

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

plant

verb \ ˈplant \

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

plant

noun

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