seedling

noun seed·ling \ ˈsēd-liŋ \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of seedling

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

See seedling defined for English-language learners

See seedling defined for kids

Recent Examples of seedling from the Web

In the past only one out of 10,000 Minnesota grape seedlings made it to the stage of being grown in vineyards.

— kevin begos, Smithsonian, "The Quest to Grow the First Great American Wine Grape," 6 June 2018
Within the last year, several landowners in the 1,000-acre Hobart Nature District have removed brush and invasive species and replaced them with native seedlings and plants, done erosion control and installed signs and boulders.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "Work continues on Hobart Nature District," 25 May 2018
The rising Brit – an enthusiastic ball of energy when speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in London’s central Soho Hotel – has some impressive seedlings to point to.

— alex ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Colette' Star Ray Panthaki on Helping Remove Racial Casting Barriers," 1 June 2018
Plant out leek seedlings now for harvest in late summer and fall, and again in late winter for harvest the next summer and fall.

— pam peirce, SFChronicle.com, "How Bay Area gardeners can grow their own soup," 1 June 2018
Cutworms have been cutting off and carting away my seedlings, too!

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: How to control a leafminer attack," 24 May 2018
To know, look at your seedlings, and see if new leaves develop exactly opposite from each other (that is, symmetrical), or offset from each other (asymmetrical).

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Determinate vs. indeterminate tomato plants, and other nagging garden questions answered," 7 Apr. 2018
Residents didn't let overcast skies and 81 percent humidity prevent them from picking up their free tree seedlings on Saturday.

— patricia dillon, Houston Chronicle, "Thousands of free seedlings given away at Arbor Day event in The Woodlands," 20 Jan. 2018
Bean says Arctic Organics will have fresh arugula at the market, along with plenty of vegetable and flower seedlings, including tomato plants.

— steve edwards, Anchorage Daily News, "Spenard Farmers Market kicks off this weekend; here’s what will be there," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seedling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of seedling

First Known Use of seedling

1660

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SEEDLING Defined for English Language Learners

seedling

noun

Definition of seedling for English Language Learners

: a young plant that is grown from seed

SEEDLING Defined for Kids

seedling

noun seed·ling \ ˈsēd-liŋ \

Definition of seedling for Students

1 : a young plant grown from seed

2 : a young tree before it becomes a sapling

Learn More about seedling

Spanish Central: Translation of seedling Nglish: Translation of seedling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of seedling for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seedling

Seen and Heard

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seedling

Definition of seedling

seedling

Recent Examples of seedling from the Web

Illustration of seedling

First Known Use of seedling

SEEDLING Defined for English Language Learners

seedling

Definition of seedling for English Language Learners

SEEDLING Defined for Kids

seedling

Definition of seedling for Students

Learn More about seedling

Seen and Heard

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Definition of seedling

seedling

Recent Examples of seedling from the Web

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seedling

Definition of seedling for English Language Learners

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seedling

Definition of seedling for Students

Learn More about seedling

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