seedling
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsidɫɪŋ// UK //sˈiːdlɪŋ// seedling
n. a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It is still very small and needs careful care to survive.
n. a young plant in its earliest stage of growth, typically before it has developed true leaves. Refers to the initial phase between germination and the establishment of a mature root system.
The seedling needs plenty of water and sunlight to grow.
After the last frost, the gardener moved the tomato seedling to a larger pot to encourage stronger root development.
While the seedling appeared healthy in the greenhouse, it struggled to adapt to the harsher conditions of the open field, eventually succumbing to a sudden temperature drop.
From seed + -ling.