seed 1 of 2

1
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops ancient Greece provided the seed for much of Western civilization's political and philosophical thought

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2
as in offspring
the descendants of a person, animal, or plant the famous stallion's seed can be found on racetracks all over the world

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seed

2 of 2

verb

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow seeded grass in the backyard

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seed
Noun
The apples contain the seed from which the future trees sprout, rising from the underbrush. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Birds are feasting on last season's seed heads, filling their bellies and dropping seeds all over the ground. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
Ohio State was seeded eighth in the tournament, but the seedings were pretty much meaningless. Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Regional and independent grocery stores – with their much smaller footprints – are unable to keep up, essentially seeding the majority of the retail media market to their larger competitors. Gary Drenik, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for seed 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seed
Noun
  • This clash at Bowman Gray this year was meant to contrast with the innovative formats seen in LA Clash, an attempt to lure new audiences while still honoring the traditional roots of the sport.
    Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Once the roots are about as wide as your finger, harvest carrots by pulling them up with a lifting-twisting motion, or use a gardening fork to gently lever long roots free from the soil.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Lurking within the various plotlines is a critique of the greed and selfishness baked into Baby Boomers and Gen X, who used up the planet’s resources without concern for the fallout faced by their offspring.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025
  • While male panthers roam far and freely, females travel less, choosing to stay with their offspring, researchers say.
    Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Seeds started now will be stunted or killed by fungus long before the air and soil are warm enough to plant them outside.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
  • For the bevy of current acts claiming to have burrowed down into the roots of country music, a good many of them have never actually cracked far enough into the surface of the soil to even plant a dandelion — all the while, Nick Shoulders is busy doing his best groundhog impression.
    Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • While clubs still provide the main origin point for supporters of women’s football, a small but growing portion of new and younger fans are entering the game via individual players.
    Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Finally, Fauci’s role in this miasma remains unclear — in part because of his obfuscation and in part the nonfeasance of scientific journalists who for years haven’t aggressively pursued COVID-19’s origin story.
    Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The hanging fruits had been emblazoned with the letters of the Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
    Veronica Hilbring, Essence.com, 11 July 2017
  • My feeling is generally in the case of summer fruit pies, if things are in season and at their peak bounty, why be skimpy?
    Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit, 8 July 2017
Noun
  • White rice undergoes a refining process that removes the bran and germ.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Refining grains removes the bran and germ, which is where most of the fiber and essential nutrients are.
    Dr. Anthony Yuon, Contributor, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The legal challenge comes just days before the beginning of Black History Month in a state that was the center of the Civil Rights Movement.
    Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Said to be the original influencer, the documentary shows her rise from humble beginnings to Wall Street trader to homemaking entrepreneurial queen.
    Jeffrey Edell, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Seed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seed. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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