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

Immediately after sowing seeds, place containers on a seedling heat mat or, as a no-cost alternative, on top of a refrigerator or near a radiator. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026

Outdoors Some gardeners start seeds indoors in winter to have seedlings ready to transplant when their local weather turns warm enough. —Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026

Crist also always direct sows snow peas (Pisum sativum) rather than buying and planting them as seedlings. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026

Chloe thins only once, before seedlings are growing into each other, sometime between the first and third set of true leaves. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 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