Definition of: plant

(plant, plänt) noun
1. A living organism belonging to the vegetable, as distinguished from the animal kingdom, having typically rigid cell walls, promoting an indefinite growth of tissue, and characterized by growth from the synthesis of simple, usually inorganic food materials from soil, water, and air or, in some cases, from other organisms.
2. Loosely, one of the smaller forms of vegetable life, in distinction from shrubs and trees.
3. A set of machines, tools, apparatus, etc., necessary to conduct a manufacturing enterprise or other business: a chemical plant: often including the buildings and grounds, or, in case of a railroad, the rolling stock, but not including the material or product; hence, the permanent appliances needed for any institution, as a post office, a college, etc.
4. A sapling; a slip or cutting from a tree or bush.
5. Slang A trick; dodge; imposition; swindle.
6. A person placed in a theater audience to encourage applause, speak lines, or contribute to the action of a play.
7. An apparently trivial passage early in a story or play that later becomes important in shaping the outcome of the action.
—v.t.
1. To set in the ground for growing.
2. To furnish with plants or seed: to plant a field.
3. To set or place firmly; put in position.
4. To found; establish.
5. To introduce into the mind; implant, as an idea or principle.
6. To introduce into a country, as a breed of animal.
7. To deposit (fish or spawn) in a body of water.
8. To stock, as a river.
9. To bed (oysters).
10. Slang To deliver, as a blow.
11. Slang To place or station for purposes of deception, observation, etc.: to plant evidence.
12. Slang To hide; bury. [OE plante <L planta a sprout, something planted] Synonyms (verb): seed, set, sow. We set or set out slips, cuttings, young trees, etc., but we may also be said to plant them; we plant corn, potatoes, etc., which we put in definite places, as in hills; we sow wheat or other small grains and seeds which are scattered in the process. Land is seeded to grass. See SET. Antonyms: eradicate, extirpate, uproot.