vegetation

noun

veg·​e·​ta·​tion ˌve-jə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: plant life or total plant cover (as of an area)

2

: the act or process of vegetating

3

: inert existence

4

: an abnormal growth upon a body part

fibrin vegetations on the mitral valve

vegetational

ˌve-jə-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of vegetation

• foliage
• flora

Examples of vegetation in a Sentence

the dense vegetation of the jungle

the local vegetation is flourishing as a result of the recent rains

Recent Examples on the Web

As for their part, Southern California fire departments have been working to thin out hazardous vegetation surrounding communities and remain at the ready to respond to fires. —Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026

For the last 15 years, Dominion Water and Sanitation has studied rainfall, runoff, soil infiltration and vegetation use in Sterling Gulch. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 June 2026

Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026

Visitors emerge on a hillside above the shoreline, camouflaged by coastal vegetation. —Pavlo Fedykovych, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātiōn-, vegetātiō "power of growth," going back to Latin, "act of invigorating," from vegetāre "to impart energy to, invigorate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal nouns — more at vegetate

First Known Use

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for vegetation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

vegetation

noun

veg·​e·​ta·​tion ˌvej-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act or process of vegetating

2

: dull or inactive living

a life of tranquil vegetation

3

: plant life or cover (as of an area)

Medical Definition

vegetation

noun

veg·​e·​ta·​tion ˌvej-ə-ˈtā-shən 

: an abnormal outgrowth upon a body part

specifically : any of the warty excrescences on the valves of the heart that are composed of various tissue elements including fibrin and collagen and that are typical of endocarditis