bot·a·ny

[bot-n-ee]
noun, plural bot·a·nies.
1.
the science of plants; the branch of biology that deals with plant life.
2.
the plant life of a region: the botany of Alaska.
3.
the biology of a plant or plant group: the botany of deciduous trees.
4.
( sometimes initial capital letter ) Botany wool.

Origin:
1690–1700; botan(ic) (see botanical) + -y3

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To botany
00:10
Botany is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
botany (ˈbɒtənɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -nies
1.  the study of plants, including their classification, structure, physiology, ecology, and economic importance
2.  the plant life of a particular region or time
3.  the biological characteristics of a particular group of plants
 
[C17: from botanical; compare astronomy, astronomical]
 
'botanist
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

botany
1690s, from botanic. The -y is from astronomy, etc. Botany Bay so called by Capt. Cook on account of the great variety of plants found there.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
botany   (bŏt'n-ē)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. The scientific study of plants, including their growth, structure, physiology, reproduction, and pathology, as well as their economic use and cultivation by humans.

  2. The plant life of a particular area.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

botany definition


The scientific study and categorization of plants. (See fruit, photosynthesis, and plant kingdom.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The section on botany explains the taxonomy, morphology and reproductive
  biology of the species.
His trilogy was filled with his knowledge of botany and geology.
The botany program ensures that the plant resource is considered in management
  actions.
Botany wonks, eccentric gardeners and quirky landscapers might be drawn to
  cycads.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT