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

Once the seedlings emerge, thin them out so there is one plant per inch. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 8 Sep. 2026

Viable seeds will be planted and raised in a nursery until the seedlings can be planted in the grove. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Begin feeding once seedlings are actively growing—but don’t fertilize the seeds themselves—to provide nutrients that are depleted more quickly in pots. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2026

Transplant Outdoors — Move your seedlings outside once the weather and soil have warmed. — Sacbee.com, 31 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