Word
horticulture
Phoneticshor·ti·cul·ture, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɔɹtɪˌkəɫtʃɝ/
UK/hˈɔːtɪkˌʌltʃɐ/
Definitions
01gardening science
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the science or professional activity of growing plants, flowers, and vegetables.
n. the art or science of cultivating gardens, encompassing the growth of flowers, fruits, and vegetables for human use or ornament.
“After years of working in the park, she decided to study horticulture at college.”
“The university's department of horticulture is currently researching sustainable methods for managing urban green spaces in arid climates.”
Usage
Uncountable in its general sense; often used as a field of study or a professional industry.
Synonyms
02small-scale agriculture
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Academic · Technical
n. growing food on a small scale, like in a garden rather than a huge farm.
n. small-scale or intensive plant cultivation, distinguished from large-scale, extensive agriculture.
Español:jardinería
“The local community relies on horticulture to provide fresh vegetables for the village.”
“Anthropologists distinguish between horticulture, which involves hand tools and small plots, and agriculture, which utilizes plows and draft animals.”
Teaching tip
In academic contexts, this sense is used to contrast small-scale human gardening with industrial farming.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Julie Kendall, outdoor horticulture manager at Eden Project, said it was a "brilliant reminder" of the important role gardens play as "staging posts for wildlife on the move".” “When it comes to waterborne pathogens like cyclosporiasis , the physical attributes of leaves make them susceptible to harboring disease, says Kristin Krokowski, a commercial horticulture educator at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.” Etymology
17th century, from the Latin word hortus (“garden”) + culture (on the model of agriculture).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
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.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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/horticulture
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0