graft

1 of 5

noun (1)

1
a
: a grafted (see graft entry 2 sense transitive 1) plant
c
: the point of insertion of a scion upon a stock
2
a
: the act of grafting
b
: something grafted
specifically : living tissue used in grafting

Illustration of graft

Illustration of graft
  • a scion
  • b stock

graft

2 of 5

verb (1)

grafted; grafting; grafts

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to become grafted
2
: to perform grafting
grafter noun

graft

3 of 5

noun (2)

: the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways
also : illegal or unfair gain

graft

4 of 5

verb (2)

grafted; grafting; grafts

transitive verb

: to get (illicit gain) by graft

intransitive verb

: to practice graft

graft

5 of 5

noun (3)

chiefly British
: work, labor

Examples of graft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Corruption and federal investigations into township graft haven’t been limited to rural areas. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024 These trees mature quickly at a smaller size than traditional apple trees but can still support a lot of grafts. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
Breeders can plant the trees closer together to make test plots more efficient, and boughs grafted to a dwarf rootstock start producing apples two to three years earlier than those grafted to a traditional rootstock. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024 But all of the elements surrounding this long goodbye feel like spare parts grafted onto a dark-superhero-story chassis. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for graft 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English graffe, grafte, from Anglo-French greffe, graife stylus, graph, from Medieval Latin graphium, from Latin, stylus, from Greek grapheion, from graphein to write — more at carve

Verb (2) and Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

English dialect graft, verb, to work

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1865, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1859, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (3)

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graft was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near graft

Cite this Entry

“Graft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graft. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

graft

1 of 2 verb
1
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 noun
1
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
: something used in grafting: as
b
: living tissue used in surgical grafting
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

graft

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of grafting
2
: something grafted
specifically : living tissue used in grafting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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