Seed (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun, plural seeds, (especially collectively) seed.
  1. the fertilized, matured ovule of a flowering plant, containing an embryo or rudimentary plant.
  2. any propagative part of a plant, including tubers, bulbs, etc., especially as preserved for growing a new crop.
  3. such parts collectively.
  4. any similar small part or fruit.
  5. pit2.
  6. the germ or propagative source of anything: the seeds of discord.
  7. offspring; progeny.
  8. birth: not of mortal seed.
  9. sperm; semen.
  10. the ovum or ova of certain animals, as the lobster and the silkworm moth.
  11. seed oyster.
  12. a small air bubble in a glass piece, caused by defective firing.
  13. a small crystal added to a solution to promote crystallization.
  14. a player who has been seeded in a tournament.
verb (used with object)
  1. to sow (a field, lawn, etc.) with seed.
  2. to sow or scatter (seed).
  3. to sow or scatter (clouds) with crystals or particles of silver iodide, solid carbon dioxide, etc., to induce precipitation.
  4. to place, introduce, etc., especially in the hope of increase or profit: to seed a lake with trout.
  5. to sprinkle on (a surface, substance, etc.) in the manner of seed: to seed an icy bridge with chemicals.
  6. to remove the seeds from (fruit).
  7. Sports.
    • to arrange (the drawings for positions in a tournament) so that ranking players or teams will not meet in the early rounds of play.
    • to distribute (ranking players or teams) in this manner.
  8. to develop or stimulate (a business, project, etc.), especially by providing operating capital.
verb (used without object)
  1. to sow seed.
  2. to produce or shed seed.
adjective
  1. of or producing seed; used for seed: a seed potato.
  2. being or providing capital for the initial stages of a new business or other enterprise: The research project began with seed donations from the investors.
Idioms
  1. go / run to seed,
    • (of the flower of a plant) to pass to the stage of yielding seed.
    • to lose vigor, power, or prosperity; deteriorate: He has gone to seed in the last few years.
  2. in seed,
    • (of certain plants) in the state of bearing ripened seeds.
    • (of a field, a lawn, etc.) sown with seed.
noun
  1. a mature fertilized plant ovule, consisting of an embryo and its food store surrounded by a protective seed coat (testa)
  2. the small hard seedlike fruit of plants such as wheat
  3. (loosely) any propagative part of a plant, such as a tuber, spore, or bulb
  4. such parts collectively
  5. the source, beginning, or germ of anything
  6. offspring or descendants
  7. an archaic or dialect term for sperm 1, semen
  8. a seeded player
  9. the egg cell or cells of the lobster and certain other animals
  10. See seed oyster
  11. a small crystal added to a supersaturated solution or supercooled liquid to induce crystallization
  12. go to seed or run to seed
    • (of plants) to produce and shed seeds
    • to lose vigour, usefulness, etc
verb
  1. to plant (seeds, grain, etc) in (soil)
  2. (of plants) to form or shed seeds
  3. to remove the seeds from (fruit, etc)
  4. to add a small crystal to (a supersaturated solution or supercooled liquid) in order to cause crystallization
  5. to scatter certain substances, such as silver iodide, in (clouds) in order to cause rain
  6. (tr)
    • to arrange (the draw of a tournament) so that outstanding teams or players will not meet in the early rounds
    • to distribute (players or teams) in this manner
abbreviation for
  1. Scottish Executive Education Department
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      Seed (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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