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

So why does new marketing for the PepsiCo product tout partnerships with farmers and flash imagery of corn seedlings and a tractor? — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Protect Seedlings From Frost Protect delicate seedlings from the unexpected cold snaps with old towels, Wang recommends. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026

Be sure to harden off the seedlings before transferring them to your garden. — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026

Excessive clumps on the surface of the lawn can smother new seedlings, Mann says. — Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 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