Word
herbarium
Phoneticsherbar·i·um
US/ɝˈbɛˌɹiəm/
UK/hɜːbˈeəɹiəm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a collection of dried plants kept for science and study. You can visit one to see what plants from different places and times look like.
n. a systematically ordered collection of preserved plant specimens, usually dried, pressed and mounted for taxonomic reference and research. Typically housed in botanical gardens, museums or universities.
Examples
“The university keeps a small herbarium for students.”
“The botany students visit the herbarium to compare dried leaves with fresh samples from the field.”
“Founded in the nineteenth century, the national herbarium now houses over two million pressed specimens that document shifts in flowering times across changing climates.”
Examples
simple
“The university keeps a small herbarium for students.”
contextual
“The botany students visit the herbarium to compare dried leaves with fresh samples from the field.”
complex
“Founded in the nineteenth century, the national herbarium now houses over two million pressed specimens that document shifts in flowering times across changing climates.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “herbarium” in context.
Verb
01. consult herbarium
“To confirm the identification, he consulted the herbarium reference collection.”
verb + noun
02. curate herbarium
“She was appointed to curate the university herbarium and expand its holdings.”
verb + noun
03. expand herbarium
“Expeditions to the Andes helped expand the herbarium significantly.”
verb + noun
04. herbarium contains
“The herbarium contains rare specimens dating back to the nineteenth century.”
noun + verb
05. herbarium documents
“The herbarium documents shifts in flowering times linked to climate change.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. digital herbarium
“The digital herbarium allows botanists to examine specimens remotely.”
adj + noun
07. extensive herbarium
“The university maintains an extensive herbarium with over a million specimens.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. herbarium collection
“The herbarium collection underpins research on biodiversity and conservation.”
noun + noun
09. access the digital herbarium
“Students can access the digital herbarium to compare leaf morphology.”
10. consult the national herbarium
“To verify the rare orchid, they consulted the national herbarium at Kew.”
11. deposit specimens in the herbarium
“Field teams deposit specimens in the herbarium after each expedition.”
12. digitize the historic herbarium
“The project aims to digitize the historic herbarium for global researchers.”
Usage
Plural 'herbaria' or 'herbariums'; refers both to the collection and the room or institution housing it.
Real-World Examples
“The latest casualty came in May, when the University of Missouri in Columbia announced that it will close its Dunn-Palmer Herbarium, a 119-year-old collection of more than 170,000 plants and thousands of mosses, algae and fungi.” “A launching pad of botanical research for centuries, documentation of herbarium specimens has allowed scientists to preserve biodiversity, examine the evolutionary history of flora and, increasingly, predict how plants will respond to global change.” “Herbarium specimens can also be used to collect small fragments for DNA analysis, providing new insights into plant taxonomy.” “Today, the herbarium is among the most scientifically valuable historical plant collections.” Etymology
From Latin herbārium. Doublet of arbor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
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