seed coat

noun

: an outer protective covering of a seed

Examples of seed coat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because sprouting requires a warm, humid, dark environment, a microscopic amount of bacteria trapped on a seed coat can quickly multiply into millions of dangerous pathogens. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 2026

Some seeds are covered in a very hard seed coat that inhibits germination by blocking water from getting through. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Students are also taught that unlike the seed coats on Mendel’s peas, most human traits aren’t driven by single genes. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026

Once tucked inside the seed coat, the starches, oils, and protein in endosperm keep for months. — Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for seed coat

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote

Kids Definition

seed coat

noun

: the hard protective outer covering of a seed