seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grass seedlings are tender and need several weeks to gain vigor before frost and freezing temperatures blanket the lawn. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025 Thin out the seedlings so there is one per pot. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025 For instance, following Hurricane Michael, the Eastman Foundation and GP Cellulose collaborated with The Longleaf Alliance to give 60,000 longleaf pine seedlings to help restore Torreya State Park in Florida. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025 Early settlers cared for the seedlings until Chapman returned and sold the inexpensive young trees to people migrating westward. Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for seedling

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seedling was in 1629

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Cite this Entry

“Seedling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedling. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

seedling

noun
seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
: a tree before it becomes a sapling
seedling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on seedling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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