seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When rains and warmth arrive, the endosperm digests itself and shunts food to the growing seedling. Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 Introducing the plant seedlings or transplants for basil can begin from late March to early April according to the Almanac website. Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026 Go all in and douse your seedlings properly. Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026 When temperatures drop, gently drape a lightweight towel over your seedlings to create an insulating layer that helps trap warmth near the soil. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seedling

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seedling was in 1629

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seedling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

seedling

noun
seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ How to pronounce seedling (audio)
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
: a tree before it becomes a sapling
seedling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on seedling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster