garden

¹

[gahr-dn]

noun

1. a plot of ground, usually near a house, where flowers, shrubs, vegetables, fruits, or herbs are cultivated.

2. a piece of ground or other space, commonly with ornamental plants, trees, etc., used as a park or other public recreation area.

   a public garden.

3. a fertile and delightful spot or region.

4. British.,  yard.

adjective

1. pertaining to, produced in, or suitable for cultivation or use in a garden.

   fresh garden vegetables; garden furniture.

2. garden-variety.

verb (used without object)

1. to lay out, cultivate, or tend a garden.

verb (used with object)

1. to cultivate as a garden.

Garden

²

[gahr-dn]

noun

1. Alexander, 1730?–91, U.S. naturalist, born in Scotland.

2. Mary, 1877–1967, U.S. soprano.

garden

/ ˈɡɑːdən /

noun

1. 1. US and Canadian word: yard. an area of land, usually planted with grass, trees, flowerbeds, etc, adjoining a house

   2. ( as modifier )

      a garden chair

2. 1. an area of land used for the cultivation of ornamental plants, herbs, fruit, vegetables, trees, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      garden tools

3. (often plural) such an area of land that is open to the public, sometimes part of a park

   botanical gardens

4. 1. a fertile and beautiful region

   2. ( as modifier )

      a garden paradise

5. (modifier) provided with or surrounded by a garden or gardens

   a garden flat

6. informal,  to mislead or deceive a person

adjective

1. informal,  ordinary; unexceptional

verb

1. to work in, cultivate, or take care of (a garden, plot of land, etc)

Other Word Forms

• gardenable adjective
• gardenless adjective
• gardenlike adjective
• ungardened adjective
• well-gardened adjective
• garden-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of garden¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gardin, from Old North French gardin, Old French jardin, from Germanic; compare Old High German gartin-, German Garten; yard ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of garden¹

C14: from Old French gardin, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German gart enclosure; see _yard ² (sense 1)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lead up / down the garden path, to deceive or mislead in an enticing way; lead on; delude.

   The voters had been led up the garden path too often to take a candidate's promises seriously.

More idioms and phrases containing garden

• lead down the garden path

Related Words

• back yard 
• bed 
• field 
• greenhouse 
• nursery 
• patio 
• terrace