germinate

[ jur-muh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ger·mi·nat·ed, ger·mi·nat·ing.

1. to begin to grow or develop.
2. Botany.
   1. to develop into a plant or individual, as a seed, spore, or bulb.
   2. to put forth shoots; sprout; pullulate.
3. to come into existence; begin.

verb (used with object)

, ger·mi·nat·ed, ger·mi·nat·ing.

1. to cause to develop; produce.
2. to cause to come into existence; create.

germinate

/ ˈdʒɜːmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to cause (seeds or spores) to sprout or (of seeds or spores) to sprout or form new tissue following increased metabolism
2. to grow or cause to grow; develop
3. to come or bring into existence; originate

   the idea germinated with me

Derived Forms

• ˈgerminable, adjective
• ˌgermiˈnation, noun
• ˈgermiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• ger·mi·na·ble [jur, -m, uh, -n, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• germi·nation noun
• germi·nator noun
• non·germi·nating adjective
• nonger·mi·nation noun
• re·germi·nate verb regerminated regerminating
• reger·mi·nation noun
• un·germi·nated adjective
• un·germi·nating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of germinate¹

1600–10; < Latin germinātus (past participle of germināre to sprout, bud), equivalent to germin- ( germinal ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of germinate¹

C17: from Latin germināre to sprout; see germ

Example Sentences

Mr Biddulph said now they are "recognised as malting ovens, used to heat partially germinated grain to produce malt".

From BBC

When I was here in March covering Mr Gething’s victory, the seeds of his political demise were germinating before our eyes.

From BBC

Yet even though they’ve held a raft of public hearings and workshops on potential new laws and regulations, another plan is germinating behind closed doors.

From Los Angeles Times

“Robot Dreams” was her first book, one that took its time to germinate.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’ve seen a lot of seed in this soil that is germinating,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sprout