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botanist

American  
[bot-n-ist] / ˈbɒt n ɪst /

noun

  1. a specialist in botany.


Etymology

Origin of botanist

1675–85; botan ( ism ) botany (< Greek botanismós, equivalent to botán ( ē ) plant + -ismos -ism ) + -ist

Explanation

Use the noun botanist to describe a biologist whose specialty is plants — the way they grow, the differences between them, and everything else that has to do with plant science. The earliest botanists, in the 1500s, began a system of classifying plants scientifically, while modern botanists study the DNA of plants as well as their uses in medicine and nutrition. The root word is botanic, from the Greek botanikos, "of herbs."

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Vocabulary lists containing botanist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Botanist David Bellamy was involved in planning a mock safari while astronomer Sir Patrick Moore was to contribute to an observatory.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

Botanist and UC Associate Professor Eric Tepe said finding evidence of these plants together in the same tiny sediment sample is telling.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2024

Botanist Lorrae Fuentes, who has built a network of colleagues to report wildflower sightings in Central and Southern California, has collected the information.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2024

Botanist Ganna Boiko decided to leave, fleeing to Kyiv with her husband and 12-year-old son, in part because of bad blood on the staff.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 17, 2024

"Vera bitter has become Vera sweet," observed Ivy, giving a shy nod to the Botanist who was seated with the other grown-ups at the visitors' table watching the children filing past.

From Peggy-Alone by Craig, Anna B.

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