seed 1 of 2

noun

ˈsēd How to pronounce seed (audio)
Definition of seednext
1
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops ancient Greece provided the seed for much of Western civilization's political and philosophical thought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in offspring
the descendants of a person, animal, or plant the famous stallion's seed can be found on racetracks all over the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

seed

2 of 2

verb

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow seeded grass in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seed
Noun
The frequency trajectory precisely matched the rise in the frequency of the nonshattering trait observed in seed remains that archaeologists found at sites in China’s Yangtze Valley. — Ornob Alam, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 In such trivial moments of rebellion, the seeds of resistance are sown. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
That wealth would continue to grow after Mason’s death, seeding the fortunes of a Black family dynasty in Los Angeles. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Additional information regarding seeding and automatic bids will be released at a later date. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seed
  1. root
  2. offspring
  3. plant
  4. origin
  5. fruit
  6. germ
  7. beginning
Noun
  • Each work takes its cues from Vodou spiritual practices in Haiti that are grounded in their African roots.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • According to Snideman, the roots of the problem go back to when drivers paid vehicle licensing fees that helped fund critical services in San Mateo County.
    — Maddie White, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • Ella Bleu Travolta, John’s daughter, walked the Miu Miu show, and Apple Martin, offspring of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, debuted on the runway for Chloé after fronting one of its campaigns.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers collect the parents' DNA since their offspring are fragile when young.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of offspring
Verb
  • Reduced tillage or no-till was used by 91 percent of participating growers; 56 percent planted cover crops.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And so the fungi then take up these nutrients and move them through these vast networks and feed them to plant roots.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of plant
Noun
  • For anyone who spends a lot of time online, the series’s AI origins are hard to miss.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Gerwig explained that the classic-rock warhorse matches her vision of the film, which adapts Lewis’ origin story for Narnia.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of origin
Noun
  • His diet consists of raw vegetables, fruits, and various cheeses.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This is also the place for breakfast – a generous buffet of pastries, eggs, fruit and cheese.
    — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of fruit
Noun
  • Shigella bacteria are named for Japanese bacteriologist Shiga Kiyoshi, who discovered the germ in 1897, Britannica said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers First Looked to Animal Models for Clues Your gut is home to a community of microbes called the microbiome, and these helpful germs play an important role in digestion.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of germ
Noun
  • So, Ohtani kept trying to work his way back to the mound for weeks after receiving a lubricating Orthovisc injection in his knee at the beginning of the All-Star break.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The October introduction marks the beginning of a broader evolution for Lune+Aster, with additional innovation planned across complexion, eye and lip categories through 2027.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginning

Phrases Containing seed

Browse Nearby Words

see after
seed
seedbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on seed

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about seed

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All