vegetative

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

Updated on: 6 Apr 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

Joel had been listed as being in a vegetative state ever since his heart stopped during a medical operation in 2015, depriving his brain of oxygen.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "April Pools Day stresses water safety," 3 Apr. 2018
In 1976, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Karen Ann Quinlan, a young woman in a persistent vegetative state, could be disconnected from her respirator.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 31 Mar. 2018
What if a victim of brain trauma who is supposedly in a vegetative state is actually fully awake but unable to even blink an eye to communicate?

— andrea gawrylewski, Scientific American, "Bug Lovers, Earth’s Many Apocalypses, the Surprising Minds of Vegetative Patients and Other New Science Books," 1 July 2017
Instead, use one of the vegetative propagated and named cultivars of Miscanthus sinenesis that have not been found to be invasive.

— melinda myers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tall grasses, upright shrubs provide screening," 9 Mar. 2018
By promoting soils that provide natural filtration and creating a vegetative cover that minimizes soil erosion and sediment runoff, forests keep Michigan water quality high.

— michigan department of natural resources, Detroit Free Press, "A taste of the Michigan forest," 4 Jan. 2018
Kids with Sanfilippo lose the ability to talk and walk, and typically end up in a vegetative state before dying in their teens.

— michelle boudin, PEOPLE.com, "South Carolina Parents Fight to Save 8-Year-Old Daughter with Rare 'Childhood Alzheimer's'," 31 Jan. 2018
At the heart of the matter is the McMath family, whose daughter Jahi entered some form of vegetative state after a routine procedure went badly wrong.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Cleveland's Chief Wahoo Semi-Retires," 30 Jan. 2018
The lack of vegetative cover from January into March gives hunters the advantage of making feral hogs easier to see and more visible at longer distances.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Late winter gives Texas hunters best shot at feral hogs," 24 Jan. 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

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