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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In this newer view, a person can occupy an infinite number of spaces on a gradient from legally capable to incapable, with the far end of the spectrum reserved for people stuck in comas or vegetative states. Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 9 May 2023 The couple's biggest fear was that the therapy, intended to correct the genetic mistake that was poisoning Alissa's brain, would extend her life but not substantially improve her vegetative state. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2023 Orlando estimated the cost of disposing its 274,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris at $13 million, said storm debris manager Mike Carroll, to the Orlando Sentinel. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Individuals, businesses like restaurants and HOAs, and corporations and institutions that have onsite kitchens and cafeterias that produce vegetative scraps can participate. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2022 Blue spectrum lights are best during the plant’s seedling and vegetative stages, while red spectrum lights are ideal during flowering. Washington Post, 11 May 2022 The cooked agave and fruity notes carry through to the palate, along with the vegetative and earthy notes. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 23 Apr. 2022 Interestingly enough, the Rebbe, in a 1953 letter, points out that in a world made of mineral, vegetative, animal, and human life, the timing of the Jewish New Year is precisely on the day humanity was created. Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki, Sun Sentinel, 21 Sep. 2022 The plant spends its first year in a vegetative state as a low-growing basal rosette, which produces a robust root system. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2023 See More

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 5 Jun. 2023.

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

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