seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

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

Illustration of seedling

• 1 primary root
• 2 rootlet
• 3 root hairs
• 4 hypocotyl
• 5 cotyledon
• 6 young stem
• 7 true leaf

Examples of seedling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Avoid damaging roots as much as possible by using a small spoon or chopsticks to transplant your seedlings. —Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025

To be safe, nurture your seedlings indoors until March 15th since frosts in this part of the world rarely occur after that date. Herbs. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025

The rats and mice consumed seeds and seedlings, hampering the regeneration of native plant species. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

For every tree harvested, farmers typically plant one to three seedlings, ensuring the cycle continues. —Emma Marsden, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seedling

• needling

Kids Definition

seedling

noun

seed·​ling ˈsēd-liŋ 

1

: a young plant grown from seed

2

: a tree before it becomes a sapling

seedling adjective