germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt 
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
1
: to come into being : evolve
before Western civilization began to germinate—
A. L. Kroeber
A. L. Kroeber2
: to begin to grow : sprout
waiting for the seeds to germinate
Examples of germinate in a Sentence
methods used by gardeners to germinate seeds
Recent Examples on the Web
Leaving humidity domes after the seedlings germinate can increase the risk of mold and other seedling problems.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025
Mexico is the third largest importer of U.S. barley and the biggest importer of U.S. malt, made from germinating kernels of barley and a key ingredient in beer.
—Heather Schlitz, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Optimal Timing for Planting Grass Seed In Spring Grass seeds require adequate moisture, favorable temperatures, and oxygen to germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Soils hold summer heat well into autumn, providing the warmth seeds need to germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025
Mexico is the third largest importer of U.S. barley and the biggest importer of U.S. malt, made from germinating kernels of barley and a key ingredient in beer.
—Heather Schlitz, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Optimal Timing for Planting Grass Seed In Spring Grass seeds require adequate moisture, favorable temperatures, and oxygen to germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Soils hold summer heat well into autumn, providing the warmth seeds need to germinate.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for germinate
Cite this Entry
“Germinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germinate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
germinate
verb
ger·mi·nate
ˈjər-mə-ˌnāt
germinated; germinating
: to cause to sprout or develop
: to begin to grow : sprout
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