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

The story follows one family who plants bulbs, seeds and seedlings to create a rainbow of blooming flowers. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026

Even in that case, Pritts notes that the seedling will not be identical to the mother tree because the genes for different traits are mixed. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026

Starting tomato seedlings under lights, or in sunny windows, are not good substitutes for growing plants in the sun outdoors or in a greenhouse. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Once your seedlings have started to spout, then the mound down to one strong seedling. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 June 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