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

Compared to seedlings, most houseplants don’t need quite as much light and will be content if your grow lights are left on for about 10 to 12 hours a day. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2026

Do not allow the soil to completely dry during the first few months as the grass seedlings establish roots. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025

Besides a bounty of merchants selling ripe avocado fruit and avocado-centric foods, there are booths selling avocado oil, soap, seedlings, candles, sauces, body wash and more. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

Some of these contraptions even come with a phone app that reminds you when to water your seedlings. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2025

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