germinate

Everyday

1. When a seed germinates, it starts to grow and puts out a root and a shoot. tree →
2. To germinate an idea is to begin to develop it (formal). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, seeds need water, warmth and air to germinate; light is not needed at first. Children germinate beans in jars on wet cotton wool or paper towel. Phrases: «seeds germinate», «take days to germinate».

Examples

• The bean seeds germinated after five days. tree →
• Seeds need water and warmth to germinate. tree →
• We germinated cress on damp cotton wool. tree →
• Seeds will not germinate if they are too cold. tree →
• The root comes out first when a seed germinates. tree →
• An idea for the story germinated in her head. tree →

Note

Noun: «germination». Not to be confused with «germ» (a tiny thing that causes illness) — though both come from an old word for «seed» or «sprout». In science problems, count the days to germinate or the number of seeds that germinate out of a total («8 out of 10 germinated»).