Illustration of graft
- a scion
- b stock
1
a
: a grafted (see graft entry 2 sense transitive 1) plant
b
c
: the point of insertion of a scion upon a stock
grafted; grafting; grafts
1
a
: to cause (a scion) to unite with a stock
also
: to unite (plants or scion and stock) to form a graft
b
: to propagate (see propagate sense transitive 1) (a plant) by grafting
2
: to implant (living tissue) surgically
3
a
: to join or unite as if by grafting
b
: to attach (a chemical unit) to a main molecular chain
grafter
noun
: the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways
also
: illegal or unfair gain
Examples of graft in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The scandal badly damaged the reputation of a president who took office in 2018 on an anti-corruption ticket after a decade of government graft scandals under former leader Jacob Zuma.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Chrysler, facing financial pressure, rushed to graft increasingly conventional grilles onto the rounded nose, retreating year by year from the very aerodynamic principles that made the car more efficient.
—Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for graft
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Noun
In addition to his work in the clinic’s practice, Hasan Başol developed a combination method that brings together DHI and Sapphire FUE, aiming to improve precision during graft extraction and implantation, which may help achieve higher density and more natural-looking outcomes.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 20 May 2026
The scandal badly damaged the reputation of a president who took office in 2018 on an anti-corruption ticket after a decade of government graft scandals under former leader Jacob Zuma.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Verb
If Nikolai Gogol and Raymond Chandler had collaborated, this might have been the result—absurdist Slavic magical realism grafted onto an entertaining whodunit.
—The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Chrysler, facing financial pressure, rushed to graft increasingly conventional grilles onto the rounded nose, retreating year by year from the very aerodynamic principles that made the car more efficient.
—Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for graft
Cite this Entry
“Graft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graft. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
graft
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to insert a twig or bud from one plant into another plant so that they are joined and grow together
b
: to join one thing to another as if by grafting
graft skin over the burn
2
: to gain money or advantage by graft
grafter
noun
graft
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a grafted plant
b
: the point in a plant where a part that is being grafted is inserted
2
: the act of grafting
3
4
a
: the getting of money or advantage by dishonest means through misuse of an official position
exposed graft in the city government
b
: the money or advantage gained
accused of taking graft
Medical Definition
graft
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to implant (living tissue) surgically
grafted a new piece of artery into the ruptured portion of the old artery
: to perform grafting
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