# seedling

/ˈsidɫɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈiːdlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seedling
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a very young plant that has just started to grow from a seed. It is still very small and needs careful care to survive.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.