horticulture

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯr-tə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rəl 

adjective

horticulturally

ˌhȯr-tə-ˈkəl-chə-rə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Hortus is Latin for "garden", and the first gardens were planted about 10,000 years ago in what is often called the Fertile Crescent—the crescent-shaped area stretching from Israel north through Syria and down Iraq's two great rivers to the Persian Gulf. Probably more fertile in previous centuries than it is today, it was the original home of such food plants as wheat, barley, peas, and lentils or their ancient ancestors (not to mention the ancestors of cows, pigs, sheep, and goats as well). Many horticulturists today work as researchers or plant breeders or tend orchards and greenhouses—but most American households contain at least one amateur horticulturist.

Examples of horticulture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

Most of the peat that is extracted in Scotland is used in horticulture as compost to grow things like mushrooms, lettuce and houseplants. —Toby Ann Halamka, JSTOR Daily, 6 Feb. 2025

Markis Hill is a horticulture agent with Kansas State University Research and Extension. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025

The dedicated horticulture team totals around 100 members, mostly made up of Brookwood citizens. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin hortus garden + English -i- + culture — more at yard

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

horticulture

noun

hor·​ti·​cul·​ture ˈhȯrt-ə-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants

horticultural

ˌhȯrt-ə-ˈkəlch(-ə)-rəl 

adjective