sprout

play

verb \ ˈsprau̇t \

Definition of sprout

intransitive verb

1 :to grow, spring up, or come forth as or as if a sprout

2 :to send out new growth

transitive verb

:to send forth or up :cause to develop :grow

See sprout defined for English-language learners

See sprout defined for kids

Examples of sprout in a Sentence

seeds sprouting in the spring
Potatoes will sprout in the bag if kept in a warm place.
The garden is sprouting weeds.
The tree is already sprouting leaves.
He sprouted a beard since the last time I saw him.
She dreamed that her boss had sprouted horns.
Hair sprouted on his face.

Recent Examples of sprout from the Web

Even stations are starting to sprout, with the Downtown Inglewood stop—about a mile-and-a-half from the Forum—getting its graceful canopies installed a few weeks ago.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Crenshaw Line Is Taking Shape, and Suddenly 2019 Can’t Get Here Fast Enough," 24 Aug. 2017
To create mouse avatars, researchers implant some of a patient’s cancer cells into rodents lacking a normal immune system and measure whether various drugs destroy the tumors that sprout in the animals.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Zebrafish implanted with a cancer patient’s tumor could guide cancer treatment," 21 Aug. 2017
Wild strawberries that Weaner planted in one spot have sprouted all over.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Gardener learns to work with Mother Nature, instead of against her," 12 Aug. 2017
New apartments and restaurants are also sprouting up in the city's Lakeview and Avondale neighborhoods.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Birmingham issues: How would mayoral candidates deal with gentrification?," 1 Aug. 2017
As state firms stood still, a vibrant private sector sprouted around them.

— The Economist, "Reform of China’s ailing state-owned firms is emboldening them," 20 July 2017
Similar services are sprouting across the U.S., with local twists, as cities work with various app developers.

— tomio geron, WSJ, "Public Transit Agencies Take a Lesson From Uber," 20 June 2017
Living in Northwest Indiana, where commercial real estate continues to sprout up, can make a farmer feel ostracized.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "Farmers work overtime to make up for weak spring," 2 June 2017
By Lisa M. Krieger, Bay Area News Group SALINAS VALLEY — A beloved but beleaguered landscape is now sprouting new luxury greenhouses, fueled by a dream of marijuana riches that is changing the people and produce of this corner of Steinbeck Country.

— The Cannabist, "From chrysanthemums to cannabis: the ‘Green rush’ in Salinas Valley," 23 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sprout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sprout

Middle English spruten, from Old English -sprūtan; akin to Old High German spriozan to sprout, Lithuanian sprausti to squeeze, thrust

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

sprout

noun

Definition of sprout

1 a :shoot 1a; especially :a young shoot (as from a seed or root)

b sprouts plural

(1) chiefly British :brussels sprout 2

(2) :edible sprouts especially from recently germinated seeds (as of alfalfa or mung beans)

2 :something resembling a sprout: such as

a :a young person

b :scion 2

See sprout defined for English-language learners

Examples of sprout in a Sentence

he earned the admiration of the neighborhood sprouts when he showed them how to make a slingshot
the raspberry bushes began sending out sprouts in early spring

Recent Examples of sprout from the Web

Then diners can add fresh basil, bean sprouts, sliced hot peppers and a spritz of fresh lime.

— james patrick kelly, idahostatesman, "Pho 779 offers traditional Vietnamese fare at Meridian restaurant," 24 Aug. 2017
Another two good crops that should be grown from young plants sold in garden centers are broccoli and brussels sprouts.

— nancy brachey, charlotteobserver, "Gardening: It’s time to start thinking about fall vegetable planting," 14 Aug. 2017
On the side, a small pile of wilty pea sprouts were overpowered by a variety of pickled allium too severely salty-sour to be readily identified.

— bethany jean clement, The Seattle Times, "Sorrow at the Seattle Space Needle," 9 Aug. 2017
Planting broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower transplants.

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "Brave the heat for these critical gardening tasks for the second half of August," 8 Aug. 2017
The Canteen is a must (get the Brussels sprouts), Local 186 makes a good burger, and The Squealing Pig Pub has tasty fish and chips.

— andrea whittle, CNT, "How to Do Summer in Provincetown, According to Designer John Derian," 21 July 2017
As the capital investment desert around 51st Street awaits the possible flow of new investment, smaller green sprouts are beginning to break though.

— peter matuszak, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago commits $100 million to investment fund aimed at low-income areas," 5 July 2017
Unfortunately, the crispy pork belly sautéed with Brussels sprouts and garlic came out tooth-cracking hard.

— jodi mailander farrell, miamiherald, "Cake Thai is an 'invitation to adventure'," 29 June 2017
Also available are Brussels sprouts, cactus and pineapple slices.

— michele parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego County Fair food & drink: Go ahead, splurge," 1 June 2017

First Known Use of sprout

13th century

sprout Synonyms

Synonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, child, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms

adult, grown-up

Related Words

adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

SPROUT Defined for English Language Learners

sprout

play

verb

Definition of sprout for English Language Learners

: to produce new leaves, buds, etc.
: to grow or develop (something)
: to appear suddenly and in large numbers

SPROUT Defined for Kids

sprout

play

verb \ ˈsprau̇t \

Definition of sprout for Students

sprouted; sprouting

:to produce or cause to produce new growth

The seeds of corn were sprouting.

sprout

noun

Definition of sprout for Students

:a young stem of a plant especially when coming directly from a seed or root

Medical Dictionary

sprout

play

intransitive verb \ ˈsprau̇t \

medical Definition of sprout

:to send out new growth :produce sprouts

vascular endothelial growth factor…has been shown to spur blood vessels to sprout
—Greg Miller

sprout

noun

medical Definition of sprout

:a new outgrowth (as of nerve tissue) resembling the young shoot of a plant

segments of the axon above the injury…produce new sprouts
—J. L. Marx

Learn More about sprout

See words that rhyme with sprout Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sprout Spanish Central: Translation of sprout Nglish: Translation of sprout for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sprout for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sprout? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

sprout

Definition of sprout

From the M-W Editors

Examples of sprout in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sprout from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sprout

Other Botany Terms

sprout

Definition of sprout

Examples of sprout in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sprout from the Web

First Known Use of sprout

sprout Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Botany Terms

SPROUT Defined for English Language Learners

sprout

Definition of sprout for English Language Learners

SPROUT Defined for Kids

sprout

Definition of sprout for Students

sprout

Definition of sprout for Students

Medical Dictionary

sprout

medical Definition of sprout

sprout

medical Definition of sprout

Learn More about sprout

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066