vegetative

adjective

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veg·e·ta·tive | \ ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv

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 : vegetable entry 2 sense 3

4a(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

5a : autonomic sense 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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Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Emmanuel Macron wants to push an ambitious vision for the European Union, and a long-term vegetative-state Brexit is a threat to them. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "Reasons to Bet for or against Brexit," 11 Sep. 2019 In January 2006, Ariel Sharon, Israel’s prime minister, suffered a stroke that left him in a vegetative state. — New York Times, "The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran," 4 Sep. 2019 People can lose the ability to walk, fall into a coma, and then be in a persistent vegetative state. — Ariel Loop As Told To Korin Miller, SELF, "This Is What It’s Like When Your 4-Month-Old Catches Measles," 26 Aug. 2019 The 42-year-old had sustained severe brain damage following a car accident in 2008 and had been living in a vegetative state. — Antoine Crouin, Barbara Wojazer And Kara Fox, CNN, "Frenchman Vincent Lambert dies after years-long life support battle," 11 July 2019 Warmbier died shortly after being sent back home to the U.S. in a vegetative state in June 2017. — NBC News, "North Korea accuses freed Australian student of spying, spreading propaganda," 6 July 2019 The 22-year-old died days after being returned to the U.S. in a vegetative state in 2017. — Jim Mustian, chicagotribune.com, "Otto Warmbier’s parents file claim for seized North Korean cargo ship, seeking to collect on judgment in wrongful death case," 6 July 2019 Then 22, Warmbier returned home to Ohio in a vegetative state -- blind, deaf, and having sustained severe brain damage from his year in detention. — Lindsay Isaac And Matthew Robinson, CNN, "Australian student expelled from North Korea for 'committing anti-DPRK incitement'," 6 July 2019 Another victim, 28-year-old Ashanti Jordan, a security guard at Broward Health Medical Center, has been in a vegetative state since Dec. 28, when she was struck while riding a scooter on the south end of downtown. — John Maines, sun-sentinel.com, "74 accidents and 1 death later, Fort Lauderdale weighs new e-scooter law," 24 June 2019

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.

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Statistics for vegetative

Last Updated

20 Sep 2019

Time Traveler for vegetative

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

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More Definitions for vegetative

vegetative

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of vegetative

: of or relating to plants

See the full definition for vegetative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vegetative

adjective

veg·e·ta·tive | \ ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv

Kids Definition of vegetative

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

vegetative

adjective

veg·e·ta·tive | \ ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv

Medical Definition of vegetative

1a(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