# botany

/ˈbɑtəni/ (US) · /bˈɒtəni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/botany
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. scientific study

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the scientific study of plants.

For teachers: the branch of biology concerned with the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, and ecology.

- She decided to study botany because she was fascinated by how trees survive in the desert.
- Advances in molecular botany have allowed researchers to identify the specific genes responsible for drought resistance in cereal crops.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the field of study.

### 2. plant life of an area

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

the plants that live in a specific place.

For teachers: the plant life or flora of a particular geographical region or geological period.

- The unique botany of the island includes several flowers found nowhere else on Earth.
- The expedition spent three months documenting the alpine botany of the high Sierras before the winter snows made the passes impassable.

Usage: Can be used as a countable or uncountable noun in this sense.

## Examples

- She loves botany and grows many rare plants.
- The university offers a degree in botany for students interested in plant science.
- Modern botany combines traditional field observation with molecular genetics to understand plant evolution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.