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

For seedlings started indoors, choose a warm location and add grow lights. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 Apr. 2026

Transplant tomato seedlings to your garden after the last frost, around mid-April, in zones 5-7. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026

Once your seedlings have developed one or two sets of leaves and some roots, they can be transplanted into 4-inch pots. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026

When establishing turf, keep the new grass seedlings moist so their roots can grow into the soil. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

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