seed

I UK [siːd] / US [sɪd] noun
Word forms "seed":
singular seed plural seeds
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1) [countable/uncountable] a small hard part produced by a plant that can grow into a new plant of the same type

a packet of seeds

sow/plant seed(s):

You can sow grass seed to cover the worn patches.

grow something from seed:

I grew these herbs from seed.

a) [countable/uncountable] a seed that you eat or use to give flavour to food

a packet of sesame/sunflower/cumin seeds

b) [countable] American a pip from a fruit

2) [countable] a player or team that has been given a number that shows how likely they are to win a competition

number one/top seed (= considered most likely to win):

number one seed, Venus Williams

3)

a) [uncountable] an old word used in the Bible to mean a man's semen. This word is sometimes used humorously.

b) an old word used in the Bible to mean all the children, grandchildren etc of a particular man

•

go/run to seed — to stop looking attractive and healthy, especially because you have not been looking after yourself; if a plant goes or runs to seed, it starts producing seeds after it has produced flowers

He was not yet fifty, but he was already going to seed.

sow/plant the seeds of something — to do something that makes a process or feeling start to develop

The seeds of doubt were already planted in his mind.

II UK [siːd] / US [sɪd] verb
Word forms "seed":
present tense I/you/we/they seed he/she/it seeds present participle seeding past tense seeded past participle seeded

1) [transitive, usually passive] to give a player or team a number showing how likely they are to win a competition

be seeded third/tenth/7/15 etc:

Australian Patrick Rafter is seeded 14.

2) [transitive, often passive] to remove the seeds from a plant or fruit

Add one red pepper, seeded and chopped.

3) [transitive, usually passive] to put seeds in the ground so that they can grow

4) [intransitive] if a plant seeds, it produces seeds

Derived word:
seeded
adjective

a seeded player