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

In winter, hand-pull small seedlings or cut larger plants down to the ground, then cover the stumps with tarps for at least one growing season to prevent them from resprouting. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025

Buying from a farm supports local tree farmers, who plant 1 to 3 seedlings for every tree sold, which helps maintain healthy forests, according to the Nature Conservancy. —George Petras, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

Onions may be planted from seed, seedling starts, or sets. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 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

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