seedling

[ seed-ling ]

noun

1. a plant or tree grown from a seed.
2. a tree not yet 3 feet (1 meter) high.
3. any young plant, especially one grown in a nursery for transplanting.

seedling

/ ˈsiːdlɪŋ /

noun

1. a very young plant produced from a seed

seedling

/ sēd′lĭng /

1. A young plant, especially one that grows from a seed rather than from a cutting.
2. See Note at germination

Word History and Origins

Origin of seedling¹

First recorded in 1650–60; seed + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

“This guy is kind of alive,” DeWees said, kneeling near a tiny ceanothus seedling.

From Los Angeles Times

The previous winter’s meager rainfall contributed to the seedling mortality, as did crowding by a medley of non-natives: mustard, red brome, wild oat and foxtail.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, if cooler conditions are supporting better seedling survival, those Joshua tree populations may still end up being healthier than those in places farther south, where flowering is increasing, Yoder said.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the seedling of a vision the corps dreamt up just a few years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

King Charles has been given the first seedling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree after it was illegally felled.

From BBC

Related Words

• flower
• grass
• herb
• shrub
• tree
• vine
• weed