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

Make sure to harden off seedlings before planting them in the garden. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 May 2026

Purchasing seedlings avoids much of the work and potential frustration associated with starting seeds. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026

Native tree nurseries produce tens of thousands of seedlings annually, including fruit trees for birds and valuable hardwoods like mahogany. —Anna Lello-Smith, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

These chemicals do not harm transplanted tomato seedlings (or those of other vegetable transplants), only seeds. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 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