# scion

/ˈsaɪən/ (US) · /sɪˈɒn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scion
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. family descendant

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a young person who comes from a very famous, rich, or powerful family.

For teachers: a descendant or heir, particularly one belonging to a noble, wealthy, or otherwise distinguished lineage.

- As the scion of a massive tech empire, he was expected to lead the company one day.
- The young scion of the banking dynasty felt the heavy weight of expectation as he prepared for his first board meeting.

Usage: Often used with 'of' to indicate the specific family or dynasty.

Teaching tip: This term is almost exclusively used in journalism or literature when discussing high-society families or royal dynasties.

### 2. plant shoot

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small branch or bud cut from one plant to be joined onto another plant so it can grow.

For teachers: a detached living shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, intended for grafting onto a rootstock.

- The gardener carefully attached the scion to the rootstock of the apple tree.
- Successful grafting requires a clean cut and precise alignment between the scion and the host plant's vascular tissue.

Usage: Commonly used in horticulture and botany.

Teaching tip: While this is the original botanical meaning, the 'family descendant' sense is more common in general high-level English reading.

## Examples

- He is the scion of a wealthy banking family.
- The young scion of the dynasty took over the company after his father retired.
- Gardeners carefully bound the apple scion to the rootstock, ensuring the vascular tissues aligned to allow for successful grafting and future fruit production.

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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.