vine

1 of 2

noun

ˈvīn How to pronounce vine (audio)
1
a
: a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground
also : the stem of such a plant
b
: any of various sprawling herbaceous plants (such as a tomato or potato) that lack specialized adaptations for climbing
2
: grape sense 2
see also:
die on the vine

vine

2 of 2

verb

vined; vining

intransitive verb

: to form or grow in the manner of a vine

Examples of vine 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.
Noun
The most imposing presence in the great room is not a piece of furniture or work of art but a 7,500-pound limestone boulder nicknamed Jonas that was discovered on the property while the family was preparing the land for vines. — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 American Bittersweet The American bittersweet, also known as Celastrus scandens, is a native North American vine that produces orange berries in fall and lasts all winter long. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
Avoid vining or large bushy crops like squash, cucumbers and melons. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Palm trees are especially suited to accommodating the vining growth of both dragon fruit and passion fruit. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French vigne, from Latin vinea vine, vineyard, from feminine of vineus of wine, from vinum wine — more at wine

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vine was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing vine

Rhymes for vine

See All Rhymes for vine

Browse Nearby Words

vin du pays
vine
vinea
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

vine

1 of 2 noun
ˈvīn How to pronounce vine (audio)
1
: grape sense 2
2
a
: a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground
also : the stem of a vine
b
: any of various plants (as a tomato) that resemble vines but lack a special means for climbing

vine

2 of 2 verb
vined; vining
: to form or grow in the manner of a vine
Etymology

Noun

Middle English vine "grape, a climbing plant," from early French vigne (same meaning), from Latin vinea "vine, vineyard," derived from vinum "wine" — related to vinegar, vintage

More from Merriam-Webster on vine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All