1
: soil or a bed of soil prepared for planting seed
2
: a place or source of growth or development
Synonyms
Examples of seedbed in a Sentence
a social and political environment that would later become a seedbed of the abolition movement
that think tank has served as a seedbed for American conservatism since the Cold War era
Recent Examples on the Web
Family and faith are seedbeds of virtue where government ought not to intrude.
—
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 10 June 2023
The purpose of this savvy bit of cross-promotion is, of course, to engage kids, who watch and play football at diminishing rates relative to years past, a trend accelerated by video games, the pandemic, and the changing perception of football as a seedbed of injury more than opportunity.
—Jake Nevins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2022
Even in the Bay Area, a seedbed of policy efforts directed at curbing climate change, emissions need to drop much faster, according to a recent report by a Santa Rosa climate and energy policy nonprofit that’s trying to get California to accelerate its climate goals.
—J.d. Morris, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2021
Sprinkle the seed-and-sand mix over the seedbed.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021
On the other hand, don't let the soil get too soggy; overwatering a seedbed can promote diseases such as damping off, a fungus that kills young seedlings.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2023
The absence of noncompete enforcement may well have been an important factor in the development of Silicon Valley as a vibrant seedbed of innovation.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
Marketplace of the Gods reviews the long history of woolly theorizing about religion which explained everything and so nothing, and served as the ideal seedbed for the invasion of the subject by those wielding sharper tools.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2010
Join The Tribune in a community conversation about Point of the Mountain as a seedbed for innovation.
—Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022
See More
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 10 June 2023
The purpose of this savvy bit of cross-promotion is, of course, to engage kids, who watch and play football at diminishing rates relative to years past, a trend accelerated by video games, the pandemic, and the changing perception of football as a seedbed of injury more than opportunity.
—Jake Nevins, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2022
Even in the Bay Area, a seedbed of policy efforts directed at curbing climate change, emissions need to drop much faster, according to a recent report by a Santa Rosa climate and energy policy nonprofit that’s trying to get California to accelerate its climate goals.
—J.d. Morris, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2021
Sprinkle the seed-and-sand mix over the seedbed.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021
On the other hand, don't let the soil get too soggy; overwatering a seedbed can promote diseases such as damping off, a fungus that kills young seedlings.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2023
The absence of noncompete enforcement may well have been an important factor in the development of Silicon Valley as a vibrant seedbed of innovation.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023
Marketplace of the Gods reviews the long history of woolly theorizing about religion which explained everything and so nothing, and served as the ideal seedbed for the invasion of the subject by those wielding sharper tools.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2010
Join The Tribune in a community conversation about Point of the Mountain as a seedbed for innovation.
—Tim Fitzpatrick, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seedbed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1618, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near seedbed
Cite this Entry
“Seedbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedbed. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
seedbed
noun
seed·bed
ˈsēd-ˌbed 
: soil or a bed of soil prepared for planting seed
More from Merriam-Webster on seedbed
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seedbed
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share