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Definition of germinate

germinate

/ˈdʒɜːrmɪneɪt/
ger · mi · nate
Adjective:germinative
•
Past Simple:germinated
•
Past Participle:germinated
•
Present Participle:germinating
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germinate Lexical Profile

germinate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy (of a seed or spore), or to cause a seed or spore to sprout.

Example

"The tomato seeds will germinate within a week if kept in warm, moist soil."

2

To come into existence and begin to develop (of an idea, plan, or feeling).

Example

"An ambitious plan for a community garden began to germinate during the neighborhood meeting."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for germinate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for germinate

• Rhymes for germinate

• Nearby Words

germfree
germicidal
germicide
germinate
germination
germophobe
germophobia

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin germinatus, the past participle of germinare ('to sprout or bud'), derived from germen ('sprout, bud, or seed').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Germinate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/germinate
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