English Reference
noun

vegetation

n.
US /ˌvɛdʒəˈteɪʃən/ UK /vˌɛdʒɪtˈeɪʃən/ veg·e·ta·tion UK spelling vegetations

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    all the plants, trees, and flowers that grow in a specific place.

    the collective plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. Uncountable in general usage.

    Simple

    The desert has very little vegetation because there is almost no rain.

    In context

    The dense tropical vegetation made it nearly impossible for the explorers to maintain a straight path through the valley without clearing a trail.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    a small, unhealthy growth on a part of the body, like a heart valve.

    an abnormal growth of tissue, often composed of fibrin and platelets, typically found on heart valves in cases of endocarditis.

    Simple

    The doctor used an ultrasound to look for vegetation on the patient's heart.

    In context

    The echocardiogram revealed significant vegetation on the mitral valve, confirming the clinical suspicion of bacterial endocarditis.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced FormalTechnical Science

    the natural process of a plant growing and developing.

    the biological act or process of growing in the manner of a plant.

    Simple

    Scientists studied the rapid vegetation of the area after the volcanic eruption.

    In context

    The study focused on the rate of vegetation in nutrient-poor soils compared to those enriched by organic matter.

Lower readings indicate more sparse or stressed vegetation.

BBC News· 15 Aug 2026

As the ground dries out, crops and vegetation can begin to struggle.

BBC News· 7 Aug 2026

Borrowed from Middle French végétation, from Medieval Latin vegetātiōnem.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med vegetatio
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated