noun
horticulture
HOR-tih-kul-chur/ˈhɔːrtɪkʌltʃər/
The science or practice of growing garden crops and ornamental plants.
The greenhouse gardener practices horticulture while tending tomato plants.
Etymology
The pieces name the cultivation of a garden, the activity at the heart of horticulture. The term was probably modeled on agriculture, applying cultivation specifically to garden plants.
In context
Our agriculture and horticulture destroy a weed just here and there and cultivate perhaps a score or so of wholesome plants, leaving the greater number to fight out a balance as they can.
More examples
- The greenhouse offered practical lessons in horticulture.
- His interest in horticulture began with a small vegetable garden.
- The institute supported research in ornamental horticulture.
Forms
horticulture
horticultural adjective — relating to cultivation of garden plants
Similar words
- agriculture
- Agriculture covers farming broadly; horticulture focuses on garden crops and ornamental plants.
- botany
- Botany studies plants; horticulture emphasizes their cultivation.