vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
: relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation
2
: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
3
: leading a dull, monotonous, or passive existence : vegetable entry 2 sense 3
4
a(1)
: growing or having the power of growing
(2)
: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions
a vegetative nucleus
b
: promoting plant growth
the vegetative properties of soil
c
: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
5
b
: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning and only involuntary bodily functions (such as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained
vegetatively adverb
vegetativeness noun

Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2006 neuroscientist Adrian M. Owen, now at Western University in Ontario, and his colleagues examined a young woman who had experienced a severe traumatic brain injury and was believed to be in a vegetative state. Jan Claassen, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2022 Fresh new growth is the tastiest and most aromatic, and frequent harvests keep the plant in vegetative mode and delay or prevent flowering. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024 But while Hughie second-guessed himself about using the drug on his father, his mom Daphne (played by guest star Rosemarie DeWitt), takes it out of Hughie’s jacket and injects the dangerous drug into a vegetative Hughie Sr. Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 June 2024 The developer promises a 30-foot vegetative buffer along Alcove Road and a pedestrian connection across a realigned Fairview Road. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for vegetative 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vegetative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vegetatif "promoting growth, of the lowest species of soul in Aristotelian philosophy (characteristic of plants), of the plant kingdom," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French vegetative, borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātīvus, from Late Latin vegetātus, past participle of vegetāre "to live, grow" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at vegetate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of vegetative was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vegetative

Cite this Entry

“Vegetative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegetative. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

vegetative

adjective
veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or functioning in nutrition and growth rather than reproduction
2
: of, relating to, or involving reproduction by other than sexual means
vegetatively adverb

Medical Definition

vegetative

adjective
veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
a(1)
: growing or having the power of growing
(2)
: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions
a vegetative nucleus
b
: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
2
: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
3
: affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions
4
: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning typically indicated by a lack of awareness of oneself and one's environment and in which only involuntary bodily functions (as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained
entered a vegetative state following a serious head injury
vegetatively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on vegetative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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