botany

noun

bot·​a·​ny ˈbä-tə-nē How to pronounce botany (audio)
ˈbät-nē
plural botanies
1
: a branch of biology dealing with plant life
2
a
: plant life
b
: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group
3
: a botanical treatise or study
especially : a particular system of botany
botanist
ˈbä-tə-nist How to pronounce botany (audio)
ˈbät-nist
noun

Examples of botany 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.
With funds raised by Schaumberger’s family, Kaitlin’s Kitchen is the latest addition to the botany and culinary arts program at John Lewis Middle School, where students can take cooking to a more extensive level. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The source of historical botany was measured through the archives of plant fossils until the 1500s, upon the discovery of papermaking. — Candace Barone, Florida Times-Union, 15 Aug. 2026 Nastya Vasylchyshyna is a master gardener and a botany expert at Plantum. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026 Rao took over, and replaced required courses in botany and zoology with genetics and molecular biology. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for botany

Word History

Etymology

botanic botanical + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of botany was in 1647

Rhymes for botany

See All Rhymes for botany

Browse Nearby Words

botanize
botany
Botany Bay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Botany.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botany. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

botany

noun
bot·​a·​ny ˈbät-ᵊn-e How to pronounce botany (audio)
ˈbät-ne
1
: a branch of biology dealing with plant life
2
a
: plant life (as of a given region)
b
: the biology of a plant or plant group

Medical Definition

botany

noun
bot·​a·​ny ˈbät-ᵊn-ē, ˈbät-nē How to pronounce botany (audio)
plural botanies
1
: a branch of biology dealing with plant life
2
a
: plant life
b
: the properties and life phenomena exhibited by a plant, plant type, or plant group
3
: a botanical treatise or study
especially : a particular system of botany
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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