vegetative

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

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

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
This information now helps to monitor vegetative health and track droughts around the world.

— melinda laituri, Scientific American, "Should We Always Trust What We See in Satellite Images?," 4 June 2018
Not only has the church been historically opposed to medically assisted suicide and euthanasia, its representatives have often vocally advocated on behalf of keeping terminally ill or vegetative patients on life support indefinitely.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "David Goodall’s physician-assisted suicide raises wider questions.," 21 May 2018
This results in a paralysis of the vegetative nerve system and muscle weakness.

— fabian schmidt, USA TODAY, "Ex-Russian spy attacked with unknown nerve agent. Here are the top 5 deadly poisons," 9 Mar. 2018
Natural barriers, buffer zones, and vegetative cover protect ditches and streams and contribute to healthy watersheds.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Here's Why Real Christmas Trees Are Better For The Environment," 29 Nov. 2017
In the 2005 case of Florida woman Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state following an accident, the Catholic Church vocally opposed withholding artificial administration of food and water from Schiavo to hasten her death.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "David Goodall’s physician-assisted suicide raises wider questions.," 21 May 2018
The team then applied zap and zip to 81 patients who were minimally conscious or in a vegetative state.

— christof koch, Scientific American, "What Is Consciousness?," 8 May 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