vegetation

[vej-i-tey-shuh n] /ˌvɛdʒ ɪˈteɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
all the plants or plant life of a place, taken as a whole:
the vegetation of the Nile valley.
2.
the act or process of vegetating.
3.
a dull existence; life devoid of mental or social activity.
4.
Pathology. a morbid growth, or excrescence.
Origin
1555-65; < Medieval Latin vegetātiōn- (stem of vegetātiō), equivalent to vegetāt- (see vegetate) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
vegetational, adjective
vegetationless, adjective
nonvegetation, noun
prevegetation, noun
undervegetation, noun
Synonyms
3. inactivity, idleness, sloth, lethargy.
Examples from the web for vegetation
  • They disrupt native vegetation and make it easier for invasive plants to take hold.
  • Forested plains have different types of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation.
  • On land, non-native plant species sometimes outcompete native vegetation and take over habitat.
  • Indeed, scientists often define climate zones by the vegetation and animal life that they support.
  • Witnesses complained of damage to trees, crops, vegetation and human health.
  • The burgeoning algae form a dense layer of vegetation that displaces other plants.
  • Water in reservoirs, especially in water-storage dams, becomes silted with vegetation and matter washed off land upstream.
  • River habitats, called riparian systems, often contain lush vegetation and a wealth of animal species.
  • Their feathers were messed up by being tumbled over the island and through the vegetation.
  • Before long, the road begins to climb, trees disappear and rocks outnumber what is left of the vegetation.
British Dictionary definitions for vegetation

vegetation

/ˌvɛdʒɪˈteɪʃən/
noun
1.
plant life as a whole, esp the plant life of a particular region
2.
the process of vegetating
3.
(pathol) any abnormal growth, excrescence, etc
4.
a vegetative existence
Derived Forms
vegetational, adjective
vegetatious, adjective
Word Origin and History for vegetation
n.

1560s, "act of vegetating," from Middle French végétation, from Medieval Latin vegetationem (nominative vegetatio) "a quickening, action of growing," from vegetare "grow, quicken" (see vegetable). Meaning "plant life" first recorded 1727.

vegetation in Medicine

vegetation veg·e·ta·tion (věj'ĭ-tā'shən)
n.

  1. The process of growth in plants.

  2. An abnormal bodily growth or excrescence, especially a clot composed largely of fused blood platelets, fibrin, and sometimes bacteria that is adherent to a diseased heart valve.

  3. A vegetative state of impaired consciousness.

vegetation in Science
vegetation
  (věj'ĭ-tā'shən)   

  1. The plants of an area or a region; plant life.

  2. An abnormal bodily accretion, especially a clot composed largely of fused blood platelets, fibrin, and sometimes bacteria, that adheres to a diseased heart valve.