plant
plahnt
Plant (noun) means a living organism, typically rooted in soil, that makes its own food through photosynthesis — trees, flowers, grasses, and similar life forms. Example: “This plant needs plenty of light, but only a little water each week.”
noun
1
A living organism, typically rooted in soil, that makes its own food through photosynthesis — trees, flowers, grasses, and similar life forms.
"This plant needs plenty of light, but only a little water each week."
"She waters the plants on her balcony every morning."
"The greenhouse is full of tropical plants."
2
A factory or other building where an industrial process is carried out.
"My father worked at a power plant on the edge of town."
"The chemical plant was built beside the river decades ago."
"The car company opened a new manufacturing plant in the north."
3
An object or person secretly placed somewhere to deceive people, gather information, or make someone look guilty.
"The man who shouted the winning answer was a plant, put there by the show's producers."
"The note in her coat turned out to be a plant meant to cause trouble."
"The drugs found in his bag turned out to be a plant by a rival gang."
verb
1
To put a seed, seedling, or crop into soil so that it will grow.
"Autumn is a good time to plant bulbs, so they flower in spring."
"They planted tomatoes and beans in the back garden."
"Volunteers planted hundreds of trees along the riverbank."
2
To place something or someone secretly, especially to create a false impression or set someone up.
"Someone planted a false story in the newspaper to confuse readers."
"In the film, a spy is planted inside the rival company's office."
"Police believe the evidence was planted at the scene."
3
To put or set something down firmly and deliberately.
"He planted the flag firmly in the ground at the top of the hill."
"The toddler planted a big sticky kiss on her grandmother's cheek."
"She planted her feet and refused to move."
How to use plant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA living green organism like a tree or flower; also a factory, or (as a verb) to put something into the ground — or secretly into place.
Common pairings
plant a seed
potted plant
power plant
plant evidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- plants
- Third person singular
- plants
- Past tense
- planted
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Can you complete this real example?
This _____ needs plenty of light, but only a little water each week.
Etymology
From Old English plante, ultimately from Latin planta, "sprout, cutting." The factory/machinery sense grew out of an old Latin meaning of "something that propagates or produces."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for plant
See all rhymes for plant →Frequently asked questions
What does “plant” mean?
The word “plant” means a living organism, typically rooted in soil, that makes its own food through photosynthesis — trees, flowers, grasses, and similar life forms. In plain terms, a living green organism like a tree or flower; also a factory, or (as a verb) to put something into the ground — or secretly into place.
How do you pronounce “plant”?
“Plant” is pronounced plahnt (/plænt/ in IPA).
How do you use “plant” in a sentence?
Here is “plant” used in a sentence: “She waters the plants on her balcony every morning.”
What part of speech is “plant”?
Depending on how it is used, “plant” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “plant” come from?
The word “plant” comes from Latin. From Old English plante, ultimately from Latin planta, "sprout, cutting." The factory/machinery sense grew out of an old Latin meaning of "something that propagates or produces.".
Is “plant” a common word?
“Plant” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “plant” have?
“Plant” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a living organism, typically rooted in soil, that makes its own food through photosynthesis — trees, flowers, grasses, and similar life forms.
What is the difference between a plant and an animal?
The key difference is how they get energy. Plants make their own food from sunlight through photosynthesis and are usually rooted in one place. Animals cannot make their own food, so they must eat plants or other animals, and most can move about freely to find it.
What are the main types of plants?
Plants are commonly grouped into flowering plants like roses and grasses, and non-flowering plants such as ferns, mosses, and conifers. Everyday categories include trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, and grasses. Botanists classify them more precisely by their structure, seeds, and how they reproduce.
Are fungi and mushrooms plants?
No. Although mushrooms were once grouped with plants, fungi belong to their own kingdom. Unlike plants, they cannot photosynthesise to make their own food; instead they absorb nutrients from other organisms or decaying matter. This fundamental difference is why modern biology keeps them separate from plants.
Why are plants important?
Plants release the oxygen we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to regulate the climate. They form the base of nearly every food chain, provide habitats for wildlife, and give us food, medicine, timber, and fibres. Without plants, most life on Earth could not survive.
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