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 young stem
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After seeding, water the lawn deeply, then continue to lightly water it one or two times a day to keep the soil moist until seedlings are established. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

Vital to the ecosystems of forests, mother trees nurture the development of seedlings via fungal networks. —Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025

Increase watering as needed until the seedlings have developed several sets of leaves. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025

In 4-6 weeks, your seedlings will be ready for transplanting into the garden. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling

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