seed 1 of 2

noun

ˈsēd How to pronounce seed (audio)
Definition of seednext
1
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops ancient Greece provided the seed for much of Western civilization's political and philosophical thought

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2
as in offspring
the descendants of a person, animal, or plant the famous stallion's seed can be found on racetracks all over the world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

seed

2 of 2

verb

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow seeded grass in the backyard

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seed
Noun
Bird baths should be placed at least 10 to 15 feet away from nearby feeders to keep bird seed and other debris from muddying up the water. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 When a flower matures, the ovary of the flower matures into a fruit, and that fruit encloses the seeds. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 30 July 2026
Verb
The democratization of Internet access with cheap smartphones and 5G has also regrettably seeded a CSAM wild west, whereby anyone with access to a child and dire financial problems can instantly solve their money woes. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 July 2026 Without substantial outside contributions, the typical 530A account seeded with $1,000 is projected to be worth about $4,000 by the time a child reaches adulthood. — Darrick Hamilton, Fortune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for seed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seed
  1. root
  2. offspring
  3. plant
  4. origin
  5. fruit
  6. germ
  7. beginning
Noun
  • This can help address the root cause of behaviors such as spending excessive time in bed awake, maintaining irregular sleep schedules, and conditioned arousal such as worrying about sleep.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026
  • The Buffalo Rose Saloon (Golden) Located in the heart of downtown Golden, the buildings that house The Buffalo Rose events complex have roots that are as old as the city itself.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • And in April, state broadcaster CCTV reported that researchers had created more than 200 clone embryos of wild yaks (including the golden wild yak) and their crossbred offspring.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The sterile male flies mated with fertile female flies, but the interactions didn’t produce offspring, decreasing the overall fly population.
    — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
Definition of offspring
Verb
  • Aquifer levels have continued to drop as corporate farms and investors have planted vast almond and pistachio orchards.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • Trees take years to reach full canopy, which is why the best time to plant was a decade ago and the second best time is this season.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of plant
Noun
  • But although smallpox’s European origins are clear based on the timeline of its devastation, epidemiologists have yet to identify strong genetic evidence to support this arc.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
  • Just days before the hearing, Paul released over 1,000 pages of Fauci's private diary entries from the pandemic period, accusing him of hiding the truth about COVID-19's origins.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 July 2026
Definition of origin
Noun
  • One of his colleagues suggested buying one instead and storing it in a warehouse used by Goodall’s fruit and vegetable business.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Knowing how to properly wash fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
    — Olivia LaBorde, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of fruit
Noun
  • But in recent years, attention has shifted to less obvious sources of germs like reusable water bottles, kitchen sponges, cell phones and makeup brushes.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 July 2026
  • The germ Eickhorst worries about most is molluscum contagiosum, a common childhood skin virus.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of germ
Noun
  • Asking how your home will be promoted, and whether it will be listed in the MLS from the very beginning, can help ensure your property has the strongest possible start.
    — Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • The Bundesliga had only begun in 1963, marking the true beginning of professionalism.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of beginning

Phrases Containing seed

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seed
seedbed
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Cite this Entry

“Seed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seed. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on seed

Nglish: Translation of seed for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seed

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