germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

1

: to come into being : evolve

before Western civilization began to germinate

—A. L. Kroeber

2

: to begin to grow : sprout

waiting for the seeds to germinate

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

germinative

ˈjər-mə-ˌnā-tiv  -mə-nə- 

adjective

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Rhymes for germinate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

1

: to cause to sprout or develop

2

: to begin to grow : sprout

3

: to come into being : evolve

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

germinate

verb

ger·​mi·​nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 

germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to begin to grow : sprout

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

noun