germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce germinate (audio)
germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

1
: to come into being : evolve
before Western civilization began to germinateA. L. Kroeber
2
: to begin to grow : sprout
waiting for the seeds to germinate
germination noun
germinative adjective

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These nutrients fuel grass growth, reduce patchy spots, and help seeds germinate and root faster. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2025 Wildflowers require a good soaking in the winter to germinate. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 This species is distinctive not only in needing fire to germinate but requiring contact with smoldering pine needles to initiate this process. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025 Like weed seeds, desirable plant seeds need to land on the soil surface to germinate and need light to successfully germinate and grow. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for germinate

Word History

Etymology

Latin germinatus, past participle of germinare to sprout, from germin-, germen bud, germ

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of germinate was in 1610

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germinate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

germinate

verb
ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce germinate (audio)
germinated; germinating
1
: to cause to sprout or develop
2
: to begin to grow : sprout
3
: to come into being : evolve
germination noun

Medical Definition

germinate

verb
ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce germinate (audio)
germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to begin to grow : sprout
germination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on germinate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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