vegetation

[ vej-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. all the plants or plant life of a place, taken as a whole:

   the vegetation of the Nile valley.

2. the act or process of vegetating.
3. a dull existence; life devoid of mental or social activity.

   Synonyms: idleness, inactivity, lethargy, sloth

4. Pathology. a morbid growth, or excrescence.

vegetation

/ ˌvɛdʒɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. plant life as a whole, esp the plant life of a particular region
2. the process of vegetating
3. pathol any abnormal growth, excrescence, etc
4. a vegetative existence

vegetation

/ vĕj′ĭ-tā′shən /

1. The plants of an area or a region; plant life.
2. An abnormal bodily accretion, especially a clot composed largely of fused blood platelets, fibrin, and sometimes bacteria, that adheres to a diseased heart valve.

Derived Forms

• ˌvegeˈtatious, adjective
• ˌvegeˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• vege·tation·al adjective
• vege·tation·less adjective
• nonveg·e·tation noun
• preveg·e·tation noun
• under·vege·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetation¹

1555–65; < Medieval Latin vegetātiōn- (stem of vegetātiō ), equivalent to vegetāt- ( vegetate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

As fires devour flammable brush and vegetation, the heat propels burning embers upward.

From Los Angeles Times

Some fire researchers say taking simple steps to clear yards, roofs and gutters of flammable vegetation and ensuring there is absolutely no opening for embers to get inside — whether a dog door, a vent or an open window — can virtually fireproof a home.

From Los Angeles Times

Once an ember ignites vegetation near the bottom, the flames can quickly scale both sides and rising heat dries out the vegetation ahead, practically clearing a path for the fire to race through.

From Los Angeles Times

Other measures did little to save houses — such as clearing nearby flammable vegetation beyond 15 feet around the house, which, at best, reduced the risk by 3%.

From Los Angeles Times

Right now, the agency manages some naturally ignited fires rather than immediately extinguishing them so that the flames can achieve ecological benefits like consuming excess vegetation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flora
• greenery