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

Floridians can see it in the withered tones of roadside vegetation and hear it in the dry crunch of their once-green lawns. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

The National Weather Service warns residents of the negative effect of frost and freeze conditions on crops and other sensitive vegetation. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated February 20, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026

The path built by the city’s tractors, right next to the sidewalk on the north-south boulevard, created tire marks that look like an off-road vehicle came through and plowed down healthy vegetation. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026

The geckos appear to occupy multiple microhabitats within the same canyon ecosystem, splitting their activity between vertical rock surfaces and ground-level vegetation. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 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