Illustration of seedling
- 1 primary root
- 2 rootlet
- 3 root hairs
- 4 hypocotyl
- 5 cotyledon
- 6 epicotyl
- 7 true leaf
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
Examples of seedling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Onions may be planted from seed, seedling starts, or sets.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
By the time warm-season grasses germinate in late spring, annual grassy weeds have taken hold and outcompete the young seedlings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2025
Its geometry channels airflow, moderates sunlight, and slows the evaporation of moisture, creating a sheltered pocket of climate around the seedling.
—New Atlas, 20 Nov. 2025
In one of the most polluted corners of Brooklyn, a nursery of seedlings thrives beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge, supplying native plants to local parks and community gardens to help neighbors connect with nature.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seedling
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Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
By the time warm-season grasses germinate in late spring, annual grassy weeds have taken hold and outcompete the young seedlings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2025
Its geometry channels airflow, moderates sunlight, and slows the evaporation of moisture, creating a sheltered pocket of climate around the seedling.
—New Atlas, 20 Nov. 2025
In one of the most polluted corners of Brooklyn, a nursery of seedlings thrives beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge, supplying native plants to local parks and community gardens to help neighbors connect with nature.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seedling
Cite this Entry
“Seedling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedling. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seedling
noun
seed·ling
ˈsēd-liŋ 
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
: a tree before it becomes a sapling
seedling
adjective
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