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

Other Words from vegetative Example Sentences Learn More About vegetative

Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In conclusion, drought stress to corn during the early- to mid-vegetative stages is likely to have only a small negative effect on corn grain yield. — Todd Nelson, Star Tribune, 21 June 2021 How is being brain dead different from being in a vegetative state? — Korin Miller, Health.com, 10 Nov. 2021 The image reveals a striking resemblance between the vegetative patient in the middle and the healthy subject on the right: both have similar, active patterns of electrical activity and connectivity in their brains. — Julia Calderone, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2014 Prominent longtime lobbyist Joe Gilliam, who represented the state’s grocery stores in Salem for decades, was poisoned almost to the point of death last year and remains in a vegetative state, Willamette Week reported Wednesday. — The Oregonian/oregonlive Politics Team, oregonlive, 3 Nov. 2021 Both will cause the plant to remain vegetative instead of setting buds. — Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 29 Oct. 2021 Extreme pruning produces strong vegetative regrowth at the expense of flowers. — Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Oct. 2021 In 1983, Karen Cruzan, age 26, was involved in a car accident that left her in an irreversible vegetative state. — Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2021 Re-Nuble is an agricultural technology company to transform unrecoverable vegetative food byproducts into a platform of sustainable technologies for soilless farming. — Ali Shahbaz, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2021

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.

History and Etymology for 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

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Dictionary Entries Near vegetative

vegetation type

vegetative

vegetative cell

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Last Updated

3 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Vegetative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegetative. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.

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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