bud

[ buhd ]

/ bʌd /

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noun

Botany.

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.

verb (used without object), bud·ded, bud·ding.

to put forth or produce buds.

to begin to develop.

to be in an early stage of development.

verb (used with object), bud·ded, bud·ding.

to cause to bud.

Horticulture. to graft by inserting a single bud into the stock.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English budde, bodde “bud, spray, pod”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch botte “bud,” or Old French bout “tip, end”

OTHER WORDS FROM bud

budder, nounbudless, adjectivebudlike, adjectivenon·bud·ding, adjective, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bud

budder , butter

Other definitions for bud (2 of 3)

bud²

[ buhd ]

/ bʌd /

noun

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

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; back formation from buddy

Other definitions for bud (3 of 3)

Bud

or Budd

[ buhd ]

/ bʌd /

noun

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bud in a sentence

Just work the soft polymer tips into your ears, and press a button on the companion app to turn on an LED array on each bud.
The best entertainment tech of 2020|Stan Horaczek|December 3, 2020|Popular-Science
The buds also have magnets inside, so when you don’t want to wear them, you can loop them around your neck and form a surprisingly secure loop.
Beats Flex headphones aren’t quite AirPods, but they’re still a great deal|Stan Horaczek|November 21, 2020|Popular-Science
I like the extra security it provides on buds with no ear hooks—if one falls out, you’re unlikely to lose it on the street.
Beats Flex headphones aren’t quite AirPods, but they’re still a great deal|Stan Horaczek|November 21, 2020|Popular-Science
They’re not truly wireless—the buds are tethered together with a cord.
The Beats Flex wireless headphones offer some AirPod functionality for just $50|Stan Horaczek|October 17, 2020|Popular-Science

The adjustable headset is surprisingly comfortable despite not being among the lighter models, and the ear buds deliver incredibly deep and detailed sound.
Electronics and exercise gear that make excellent gifts|PopSci Commerce Team|October 8, 2020|Popular-Science
"Why didn't they give him rattles and squealey-balls, like folks did budder Phillie when he was a baby," asked Toddie.
Romance of California Life|John Habberton
When he shove frough, nen I ole suddenity begin push, jab, shove—quick—ole semma churn budder.
Masterpieces of Mystery In Four Volumes|Various
This may be done immediately in advance of the budder, or it may have been done a few days before the budding.
American Pomology|J. A. Warder
I know a boy who at thirteen was his father's expert budder.
The Library of Work and Play: Outdoor Work|Mary Rogers Miller
The bud is inserted an inch or two above the surface of the ground or as low down as the budder can work.
The Nursery Book|Liberty Hyde Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for bud (1 of 2)

bud¹

/ (bʌd) /

noun

a swelling on a plant stem consisting of overlapping immature leaves or petals

a partially opened flower
(in combination)rosebud

any small budlike outgrowthtaste 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

verb buds, budding or budded

(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

Word Origin for bud

C14 budde, of Germanic origin; compare Icelandic budda purse, Dutch buidel

British Dictionary definitions for bud (2 of 2)

bud²

/ (bʌd) /

noun

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

bud

[ bŭd ]

Noun

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.

Verb

To form or produce a bud or buds.

Other Idioms and Phrases with bud

bud

see nip in the bud.

bud

Idioms about bud

Origin of bud

OTHER WORDS FROM bud

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bud

Other definitions for bud (2 of 3)

Origin of bud

Other definitions for bud (3 of 3)

or Budd

Words related to bud

How to use bud in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bud (1 of 2)

Word Origin for bud

British Dictionary definitions for bud (2 of 2)

Scientific definitions for bud

Other Idioms and Phrases with bud