First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1sprout
verb \ˈsprau̇t\
: to produce new leaves, buds, etc.
: to grow or develop (something)
: to appear suddenly and in large numbers
Full Definition of SPROUT
intransitive verb
1
: to grow, spring up, or come forth as or as if a sprout
2
: to send out new growth
transitive verb
: to send forth or up : cause to develop : grow
See sprout defined for English-language learners
See sprout defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SPROUT
Middle English spruten, from Old English -sprūtan; akin to Old High German spriozan to sprout, Lithuanian sprausti to squeeze, thrust
Other Botany Terms
2sprout
noun
Definition of SPROUT
1
a : shoot 1a; especially : a young shoot (as from a seed or root) b plural (1) chiefly British : brussels sprout 2 (2) : edible sprouts especially from recently germinated seeds (as of alfalfa or mung beans)
2
See sprout defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPROUT
13th century
Related to SPROUT
Other Botany Terms
SPROUT Defined for Kids
1sprout
verb \ˈsprau̇t\
sprout·edsprout·ing
Definition of SPROUT for Kids
: to produce or cause to produce new growth <The seeds of corn were sprouting.>
2sprout
noun
Definition of SPROUT for Kids
: a young stem of a plant especially when coming directly from a seed or root
Learn More About SPROUT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: sprout cellPrevious Word in the Dictionary: sprotAll Words Near: sprout
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up sprout? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).