Illustration of seedling
- 1 primary root
- 2 rootlet
- 3 root hairs
- 4 hypocotyl
- 5 cotyledon
- 6 epicotyl
- 7 true leaf
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
a
: a young tree before it becomes a sapling
b
: a nursery plant not yet transplanted
seedling
adjective
Examples of seedling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Tribes have been harvesting cones from healthy trees to regrow seedlings resistant to the fungus.
—
Ellis Juhlin, NPR, 18 May 2026
Plant pawpaw trees in spring or fall, provide shade for young seedlings, and ensure consistent soil moisture.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 May 2026
Plant tomato seedlings deeply to encourage stronger roots and better nutrient absorption.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Rabbits helping themselves to your seedlings.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for seedling
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Ellis Juhlin, NPR, 18 May 2026
Plant pawpaw trees in spring or fall, provide shade for young seedlings, and ensure consistent soil moisture.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 17 May 2026
Plant tomato seedlings deeply to encourage stronger roots and better nutrient absorption.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 May 2026
Rabbits helping themselves to your seedlings.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for seedling
Cite this Entry
“Seedling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seedling. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seedling
noun
seed·ling
ˈsēd-liŋ 
1
: a young plant grown from seed
2
: a tree before it becomes a sapling
seedling
adjective
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