Word
germination
Phoneticsger·mi·na·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌdʒɝməˈneɪʃən/
UK/dʒˌɜːmɪnˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the process by which a seed starts to grow into a new plant. It usually happens when the seed gets enough water and warmth.
n. the process by which an organism or seed begins to grow or develop after a period of dormancy. Often used in biological and agricultural contexts to describe the initial stages of plant life.
Examples
“The seeds began to germinate after we watered them.”
“Successful germination depends on the right combination of soil temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels.”
“While some seeds can germinate almost immediately upon contact with water, others require a period of cold stratification to break their dormancy and initiate the growth of the embryonic root.”
Examples
simple
“The seeds began to germinate after we watered them.”
contextual
“Successful germination depends on the right combination of soil temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels.”
complex
“While some seeds can germinate almost immediately upon contact with water, others require a period of cold stratification to break their dormancy and initiate the growth of the embryonic root.”
Real-World Examples
“These are reactive molecules that halt pollen germination, which the researchers measured using nitro blue tetrazolium, a dye that darkens wherever those reactive molecules gather.” “The earliest harvested seed was lighter and had lower and more variable germination.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin germinātiō, By surface analysis, germinate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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