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

Once the seeds germinate, Mercer recommends moving the seedlings to a sunny window or installing grow lights and setting them to 16 hours per day. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

Buy one herb pot and carefully divide the individual seedlings, repotting each in a container filled with well-draining potting mix. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

For seedlings and small plants, go up one size, such as from a 4-inch pot to a 6-inch pot. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Should another fire roll through, the seedlings are not yet tall enough to hold their branches above the flames. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 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