vegetative

adjective

veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈve-jə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
: relating to, composed of, or suggesting vegetation
2
: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
3
: leading a dull, monotonous, or passive existence : vegetable entry 2 sense 3
4
a(1)
: growing or having the power of growing
(2)
: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions
a vegetative nucleus
b
: promoting plant growth
the vegetative properties of soil
c
: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
5
b
: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning and only involuntary bodily functions (such as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained
vegetatively adverb
vegetativeness noun

Examples of vegetative in a Sentence

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.
Increasingly popular nut tree orchards don’t provide a vegetative understory. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024 Rake up and collect all the vegetative matter the poison ivy was touching, too. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2024 The nose exhibits dark fruit and pastry aromas, complemented by floral notes, baking spices, light vegetative/grassy aromas, and a hint of sea salt. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 It’s long been a mystery why and how the plants can carry out this act of vegetative bombardment, Dr. Thorogood said. Carolyn Wilke, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vegetative 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vegetatif "promoting growth, of the lowest species of soul in Aristotelian philosophy (characteristic of plants), of the plant kingdom," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French vegetative, borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātīvus, from Late Latin vegetātus, past participle of vegetāre "to live, grow" + Latin -īvus -ive — more at vegetate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of vegetative was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vegetative

Cite this Entry

“Vegetative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vegetative. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

vegetative

adjective
veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or functioning in nutrition and growth rather than reproduction
2
: of, relating to, or involving reproduction by other than sexual means
vegetatively adverb

Medical Definition

vegetative

adjective
veg·​e·​ta·​tive ˈvej-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce vegetative (audio)
1
a(1)
: growing or having the power of growing
(2)
: of, relating to, or engaged in nutritive and growth functions as contrasted with reproductive functions
a vegetative nucleus
b
: of, relating to, or involving propagation by nonsexual processes or methods
2
: of or relating to the division of nature comprising the plant kingdom
3
: affecting, arising from, or relating to involuntary bodily functions
4
: characterized by, resulting from, or being a state in which there is total loss of cognitive functioning typically indicated by a lack of awareness of oneself and one's environment and in which only involuntary bodily functions (as breathing or blinking of the eyes) are sustained
entered a vegetative state following a serious head injury
vegetatively adverb

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