bud
1Botany.
a small axillary or terminal protuberance on a plant, containing rudimentary foliage (leaf bud ), the rudimentary inflorescence (flower bud ), or both (mixed bud ).
an undeveloped or rudimentary stem or branch of a plant.
Zoology. (in certain animals of low organization) a prominence that develops into a new individual, sometimes permanently attached to the parent and sometimes becoming detached; gemmule.
Mycology. a small, rounded outgrowth produced from a fungus spore or cell by a process of asexual reproduction, eventually separating from the parent cell as a new individual: commonly produced by most yeast and a few other fungi.
Anatomy. any small rounded part.
an immature or undeveloped person or thing.
Slang. marijuana, especially potent marijuana from the buds, or flowering tops, of the hemp plant.
to put forth or produce buds.
to begin to develop.
to be in an early stage of development.
to cause to bud.
Horticulture. to graft by inserting a single bud into the stock.
Idioms about bud
in the bud, in an immature or undeveloped state: a Shakespeare in the bud. : Also in bud.
nip in the bud, to stop (something) in the beginning of its development: The rebellion was nipped in the bud.
Origin of bud
1Other words from bud
- budder, noun
- budless, adjective
- budlike, adjective
- non·bud·ding, adjective, noun
Words that may be confused with bud
- budder , butter
Words Nearby bud
Other definitions for bud (2 of 3)
brother; buddy (used in informal address, as to one's brother or to a man or boy whose name is not known to the speaker).
Origin of bud
2Other definitions for Bud (3 of 3)
or Budd
a male given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bud in a sentence
Can you imagine bud Powell or Charlie Parker writing a jingle?
At one point Mullaney returned to Coronado and served as a bud/S instructor training junior SEALs.
He owns a smallish vaporizer that still looks like it came from the future, and buys wax instead of bud.
Yeah,” he says finally, squelching his giggles by downing half a bottle of bud, “that sounds like Ray.
Lebanese security agencies have been quick to try to nip what could well be a new bombing spate in the bud.
By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousWhen they shall rush in unto Jacob, Israel shall blossom and bud, and they shall fill the face of the world with seed.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousHe had seen Mildred creep from babyhood into childhood, and bud from girlhood to womanhood.
The Fifth String | John Philip SousaIt was not until the third trip that bud thought her beautiful, and was secretly glad that he had not kissed that San Jose girl.
Cabin Fever | B. M. BowerBut bud happened to be a simple-souled fellow, and there was something about Marie—He didn't know what it was.
Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower
British Dictionary definitions for bud (1 of 2)
/ (bʌd) /
a swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals
a partially opened flower
(in combination): rosebud
any small budlike outgrowth: taste buds
something small or immature
an asexually produced outgrowth in simple organisms, such as yeasts, and the hydra that develops into a new individual
a slang word for marijuana
in bud at the stage of producing buds
nip in the bud to put an end to (an idea, movement, etc) in its initial stages
(intr) (of plants and some animals) to produce buds
(intr) to begin to develop or grow
(tr) horticulture to graft (a bud) from one plant onto another, usually by insertion under the bark
Origin of bud
1British Dictionary definitions for bud (2 of 2)
/ (bʌd) /
informal, mainly US short for buddy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for bud
[ bŭd ]
A small swelling on a branch or stem, containing an undeveloped shoot, leaf, or flower. Some species have mixed buds containing two of these structures, or even all three.♦ Terminal buds occur at the end of a stem, twig, or branch.♦ Axillary buds, also known as lateral buds, occur in the axils of leaves (in the upper angle of where the leaf grows from the stem).♦ Accessory buds often occur clustered around terminal buds or above and on either side of axillary buds. Accessory buds are usually smaller than terminal and axillary buds.
A small rounded outgrowth on an asexually reproducing organism, such as a yeast or hydra, that is capable of developing into a new individual. See more at budding.
A tiny part or structure, such as a taste bud, that is shaped like a plant bud.
To form or produce a bud or buds.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with bud
see nip in the bud.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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