seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

1

: a young plant grown from seed

2

a

: a young tree before it becomes a sapling

b

: a nursery plant not yet transplanted

seedling adjective

Illustration of seedling

• 1 primary root
• 2 rootlet
• 3 root hairs
• 4 hypocotyl
• 5 cotyledon
• 6 epicotyl
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Beni Princess appears to have been the latest target, with reports that seedlings are being sold on Chinese e-commerce sites – while its application for IP protection is still pending. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

And 10,000 is about the number of oak seedlings he’s entrusted to the hands of people who pledged to care for the tree that has become his mission and obsession. — Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Trappe said the new seedlings would germinate and emerge in the springtime, even slightly before the emergence of crabgrass. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Keep an eye out for tiny seedlings sprouting in bare soil during late September and October. — Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling
• wheedling

Kids Definition

seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

1

: a young plant grown from seed

2

: a tree before it becomes a sapling

seedling adjective