Seeds: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒฑ
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seeds

 

[ siหdz ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

planting process

The small, hard, round or oval object produced by a plant, from which a new plant can grow. Seeds are usually planted in the soil.

Synonyms

grain, kernel, spore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seeds

Use 'seeds' when referring to the reproductive part of a plant that can be planted to grow a new plant. This term is often used in gardening, agriculture, and biology.

  • She planted sunflower seeds in her garden.
  • The recipe calls for sesame seeds.
grain

Use 'grain' when referring to small, hard, dry seeds harvested for food, like wheat, rice, or corn. This term is commonly used in food production and agriculture.

  • The farmer harvested a large amount of wheat grain this year.
  • Oats are a type of grain commonly used in breakfast cereals.
kernel

Use 'kernel' to describe the edible part inside the seed or grain, often used in reference to corn, nuts, or other types of seeds. This term is typically used in cooking and food-related contexts.

  • He ate a handful of corn kernels for a snack.
  • The kernel of the nut is rich in protein.
spore

Use 'spore' when referring to a reproductive cell that can develop into a new individual without combining with another cell. Spores are produced by fungi, algae, and certain plants like ferns. This term is used in biology and mycology.

  • Mushrooms release spores to reproduce.
  • Fern plants are capable of producing spores for reproduction.

Examples of usage

  • Farmers use seeds to grow crops such as corn and wheat.
  • Some seeds need sunlight to germinate.
  • Seeds can be dispersed by wind, water, or animals.
  • Seed banks store a variety of seeds for conservation purposes.
  • She collected seeds from various flowers in her garden.
Context #2 | Noun

origin or beginning

A cause or beginning of something. It can also refer to the origin or source of a feeling, idea, or action.

Synonyms

origin, root, start.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seeds

Use 'seeds' when referring to the beginning of growth, both literally (plants) and metaphorically (ideas or movements).

  • The seeds of the revolution were planted years ago
  • It's time to plant the seeds in the garden
origin

Use 'origin' to describe the source or beginning point of something, often related to history, location, or cause.

  • The origin of the river is high up in the mountains
  • Her family has its origin in Italy
start

Use 'start' to indicate the initial moment or action of something, generally in a broad and straightforward sense.

  • They decided to start a new project
  • The race will start at 9 AM
root

Use 'root' when talking about the base or fundamental part of something, especially in context of plants, problems, or cultural heritage.

  • We need to address the root of the problem
  • The tree's roots go very deep

Examples of usage

  • The seeds of the conflict were sown many years ago.
  • The teacher planted the seeds of curiosity in her students.
  • Kindness is the seed of friendship.
  • The success of the project was due to the seeds of innovation planted early on.
Context #3 | Verb

sowing or planting seeds

To plant seeds in the ground to grow plants. It can also refer to the beginning or initiation of something.

Synonyms

plant, scatter, sow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seeds

The word 'seeds' refers to the small objects produced by plants that can be planted to grow new plants. It's commonly used when talking about gardening, farming, or general plant reproduction.

  • I bought a packet of tomato seeds from the store.
  • We need to plant the seeds before the first frost.
plant

'Plant' is often used when you are putting seeds, bulbs, or young plants into the soil so they can grow. This term can also refer to the act of placing something in a specific spot, but in a different sense.

  • Let's plant the seeds in the garden today.
  • You can plant flowers in this pot.
sow

'Sow' means to plant seeds by placing them in the ground using a specific method, often in rows or at a certain depth. This term is usually related to farming or gardening and has a more deliberate connotation compared to 'scatter'.

  • Farmers usually sow wheat in the fall.
  • To have a successful garden, it's important to sow the seeds at the right time.
scatter

'Scatter' is used when you are spreading seeds over a wide area by throwing or dropping them. It often implies a more random or carefree distribution. This word can also be used in non-gardening contexts to mean spreading things in various directions.

  • You should scatter the seeds evenly across the field.
  • The children loved to scatter birdseed in the park.

Examples of usage

  • We need to seed the area with grass to prevent erosion.
  • The company aims to seed new ideas among its employees.
  • She carefully seeded the flower bed with different varieties of flowers.

Translations

Translations of the word "seeds" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sementes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเฅ€เคœ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Samen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ biji

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะฐัั–ะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nasiona

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็จฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท graines

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ semillas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tohumlar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์”จ์•—

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฐูˆุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ semena

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ semenรก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็งๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ semena

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ frรฆ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑา›ั‹ะผะดะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒ”แƒกแƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ toxumlar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ semillas

Etymology

The word 'seeds' originated from the Old English word 'sed', which meant 'that which may be sown'. It has been used for centuries to refer to the small, reproductive part of a plant from which a new plant can grow. The concept of seeds has been essential for agriculture, allowing humans to cultivate crops and sustain themselves. Metaphorically, 'seeds' has also been used to signify the beginning or origin of something, highlighting its significance in various contexts.

See also: reseed, seed, seeded, seeding, seedling, seedy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,122, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.