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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Dudney added that the seeds of some native flowers can stay dormant for a long time and don’t necessarily germinate even in ideal conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

A large proportion of invasive grass seeds produced the previous year germinate no matter what.

From Los Angeles Times

A new study, led by researchers from the University of Sheffield in collaboration with The University of Manchester, provides the first evidence that early stage orchid seedlings germinate and thrive near to adult plants due to a kind of parental nurture using underground fungal networks.

From Science Daily

For instance, certain types of organic molecules formed in soil during fires are needed for many seeds to germinate.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• sprout