vegetation

noun
veg·​e·​ta·​tion | \ ˌve-jə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce vegetation (audio) \

Definition of vegetation

1 : plant life or total plant cover (as of an area)
2 : the act or process of vegetating
3 : inert existence
4 : an abnormal growth upon a body part fibrin vegetations on the mitral valve

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Other Words from vegetation

vegetational \ ˌve-​jə-​ˈtā-​shnəl How to pronounce vegetational (audio) , -​shə-​nᵊl \ adjective

Examples of vegetation in a Sentence

the dense vegetation of the jungle the local vegetation is flourishing as a result of the recent rains

Recent Examples on the Web

Cal Fire officials said that firefighters were able to keep the vegetation fire to about half an acre. San Diego Union-Tribune, "One injured in Campo fire that destroyed structure, spread to brush," 15 Aug. 2019 In July alone, 870 square miles of vegetation was cut down — the biggest surge in deforestation rates since the institute adopted its current methodology in 2014. Fox News, "Brazilian president suggests less pooping to help save environment," 12 Aug. 2019 Alameda County Fire Department reported that the fire was 90% contained as of 3:15 p.m. The vegetation fire broke out near the Camino Loop at Twain Harte and threatened two structures. Colleen Shalbystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Fast-moving brush fire in Alameda County now nearly contained," 9 Aug. 2019 For example, Phoenix allows furniture, large appliances, mattresses, toilets and large amounts of vegetation, but does not pick up tires, loose debris and litter, construction materials or tree trunks longer than four feet, or hazardous material. Jen Fifield, azcentral, "Want bulk trash pickup? You'll have to pay in these 2 metro Phoenix cities," 8 July 2019 Kern County Fire Chief David Witt said emergency officials in Ridgecrest responded to at least two house fires, a small vegetation fire, downed power lines and gas leaks. John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Hundreds of aftershocks follow Ridgecrest earthquake, California's strongest in 20 years," 5 July 2019 Areas that were once free of vegetation are now dotted with trees, while areas that once were covered in ice are now open water, says Chas St. George, interim chief executive and former chief operations officer of the Iditarod Trail Committee. Lynne Peeples, NBC News, "Climate change is good for surfing. Other sports, not so much.," 20 June 2019 The lushness of the ferns, trees, bushes, and flowers intensifies as the summer drones on, crescendoing into a jungle of vegetation by August, just when the heat is at its most oppressive. Alex Delany, Bon Appétit, "The Backyard at Saturdays Is My One Way Ticket Out of NYC’s Gnarly Summer Heat," 14 June 2019 This volcanic island of 9.3 million, however, has some of the best air quality in the country and is often referred to as China’s Hawaii thanks to its golden beaches and an abundance of lush vegetation. Crystal Reid, Popular Mechanics, "This Tiny Island Is Trying to Save the World. But Why?," 12 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vegetation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vegetation

1564, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for vegetation

borrowed from Medieval Latin vegetātiōn-, vegetātiō "power of growth," going back to Latin, "act of invigorating," from vegetāre "to impart energy to, invigorate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal nouns — more at vegetate

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More Definitions for vegetation

vegetation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of vegetation

: plants in general : plants that cover a particular area

vegetation

noun
veg·​e·​ta·​tion | \ ˌve-jə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce vegetation (audio) \

Kids Definition of vegetation

: plant life or cover (as of an area) The valley was green with vegetation.

vegetation

noun
veg·​e·​ta·​tion | \ ˌvej-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce vegetation (audio) \

Medical Definition of vegetation

: an abnormal outgrowth upon a body part specifically : any of the warty excrescences on the valves of the heart that are composed of various tissue elements including fibrin and collagen and that are typical of endocarditis

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