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

Pauner said the region endured more than two months without significant rainfall, leaving vegetation exceptionally dry. — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Investigators found the neighbor dead, lying face down in an overgrown patch of vegetation behind a chicken coop. — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Fire clouds and thunderstorms The rising plume of smoke and hot gases also contains water vapor released from burning vegetation and the surrounding atmosphere. — Yunyao Li, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Additionally, the news release said those on the water should be aware of currents, waves, rocks, vegetation and drop-offs. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 July 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