germinate

verb

ger·mi·nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt

germinated; germinating

Synonyms of germinate

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to come into being : evolve

… before Western civilization began to germinate …—A. L. Kroeber

: to begin to grow : sprout

waiting for the seeds to germinate

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən

noun

germinative

ˈjər-mə-ˌnā-tiv -mə-nə-

adjective

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds

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.

Throughout these years, the seeds of extremism that would forcefully erupt on January 6, 2021, were germinating. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 If gravel tapers off at the edges of your garden, weeds will easily find their way into the soil below and germinate. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Aug. 2026 Seeds that take a long time to germinate, plants with sparse foliage, and more delicate crops like lettuce, carrots, and some herbs have a harder time competing with weeds. — Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026 Hardy hibiscus seeds germinate more easily; soak and nick seeds before planting indoors. — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for germinate

Word History

Etymology

Latin germinatus, past participle of germinare to sprout, from germin-, germen bud, germ

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of germinate was in 1610

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

germinant

germinate

germination

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Kids Definition

germinate

verb

ger·mi·nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt

germinated; germinating

: to cause to sprout or develop

: to begin to grow : sprout

: to come into being : evolve

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

germinate

verb

ger·mi·nate ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt

germinated; germinating

transitive verb

: to cause to sprout or develop

intransitive verb

: to begin to grow : sprout

germination

ˌjər-mə-ˈnā-shən

noun

germinate

verb

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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germinate

verb

Examples of germinate in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for germinate

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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