vegetative

adjective veg·e·ta·tive \ ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of vegetative

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 : ²vegetable 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 a : autonomic 1

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

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vegetatively

adverb

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vegetativeness

noun

See vegetative defined for English-language learners

See vegetative defined for kids

Recent Examples of vegetative from the Web

Manslaughter charges could not be filed in one fatality, that of Tony Bland, who died after spending nearly four years in a vegetative state, because too much time had passed between the events at the stadium and his death.

— michael wolgelenter, New York Times, "Hillsborough Police Commander Faces Trial in 95 Soccer Deaths," 29 June 2018
McMath had been in a vegetative state since December 2013, when a California coroner ruled that the 13-year-old girl died after suffering irreversible brain damage during an operation to remove her tonsils.

— paul elias, Fox News, "Mother: Girl at center of debate over brain death dies," 28 June 2018
The foster baby eventually pulled out a tube in his throat that helped him breath, leaving him in a persistent vegetative state, his adoptive mother Linda Badawo told lawmakers.

— allie morris, San Antonio Express-News, "Lawmakers question state leaders, company executives over reported failures in Medicaid managed care program," 27 June 2018
Alfie, admitted to Alder Hey Hospital in December 2016, was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease associated with severe epilepsy and has been in a semi-vegetative state for more than a year.

— susan scutti, CNN, "British toddler Alfie Evans' fate to be decided by UK High Court," 25 Apr. 2018
The 22-year-old U.S. college student who died in a Cincinnati hospital days after his release from North Korea while in a vegetative state is being remembered prominently during a dramatic shift in U.S.-North Korean relations.

— dan sewell, Cincinnati.com, "In death, Otto Warmbier is at forefront of US-North Korea drama," 19 June 2018
The 22-year-old U.S. college student who died in a vegetative state in a Cincinnati hospital days after his release from North Korea is being remembered prominently during a dramatic shift in U.S.-North Korean relations.

— Washington Post, "In death, one young man stands tall in North Korea relations," 19 June 2018
When Terry attempted to take her daughter back, she was tortured by Brenner and left in a vegetative state.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Stranger Things is getting a prequel tie-in novel," 8 June 2018
The disease will then plateau for several years, leaving her in a vegetative state and unable to communicate.

— vibhav rangarajan, STAT, "The ‘cruel joke’ of compassionate use and right to try: Pharma companies don’t have to comply," 5 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vegetative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vegetative

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)

See Words from the same year

VEGETATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

vegetative

adjective

Definition of vegetative for English Language Learners

: of or relating to plants

VEGETATIVE Defined for Kids

vegetative

adjective veg·e·ta·tive \ ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv \

Definition of vegetative for Students

: of, relating to, or functioning in nutrition and growth rather than reproduction

vegetative cells

Medical Dictionary

vegetative

adjective veg·e·ta·tive \ ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv \

medical Definition of vegetative

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