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noun

seedling

SEED-lihng
noun
1
A young plant grown from a seed, especially one still small enough to transplant.
"The seedlings need to be moved outdoors once the frost has passed."

How to Use Seedling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA young, newly-sprouted plant, before it grows into a full plant or tree.

Common pairings
transplant a seedling tomato seedlings tender seedling

Word Forms

seedlings plural

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Fill the Gap

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The _____ need to be moved outdoors once the frost has passed.

Etymology

Formed from seed plus the diminutive suffix -ling, meaning "small young one" — the same pattern as "duckling."

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial