siːd
siːdof plants/fruit
1 [countable, uncountable] the small hard part produced by a plant, from which a new plant can growa packet of wild flower seedssesame seedsSow the seeds outdoors in spring.These vegetables can be grown from seed.seed potatoes (= used for planting) see also birdseed2 [countable] (North American English) = pip (2)beginning
3 [countable, usually plural] seed (of something) the beginning of a feeling or a development which continues to growthe seeds of rebellionThis planted the seeds of doubt in my mind.in tennis
4 [countable] (especially in tennis) one of the best players in a competition. The seeds are given a position in a list to try and make sure that they do not play each other in the early parts of the competitionThe top seed won comfortably.the number one seedof a man
5 [uncountable] (old-fashioned or humorous) semen6 [uncountable] (literary) all the people who are the children, grandchildren, etc. of one manIdioms
go/run to seed
1 (especially of a vegetable plant) to produce flowers and seeds as well as leavesThe lettuces had all run to seed.2 to become much less attractive or good because of lack of attentionAfter his divorce, he let himself go to seed.
Usage note: The living worldAnimalsanimals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on something)fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)birds fly/migrate/nest/singinsects crawl/fly/bite/stinginsects/bees/locusts swarmbees collect/gather nectar/pollenspiders spin/weave a websnakes/lizards shed their skinsbears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernateinsect larvae grow/develop/pupatean egg/a chick/a larva hatchesattract/find/choose a mateproduce/release eggs/spermlay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggsinhabit a forest/a reef/the coastmark/enter/defend (a) territorystalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill preyPlants and fungitrees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flowera seed germinates/sproutsleaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/formflower buds swell/opena fungus grows/spreads/colonizes somethingpollinate/fertilize a flower/plantproduce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/sporesproduce/bear fruitdevelop/grow/form roots/shoots/leavesprovide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrientsperform/increase/reduce photosynthesisBacteria and virusesbacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiplybacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on somethingbacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize something/cause diseasebacteria break something down/convert something (into something)a virus enters/invades something/the bodya virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteriacontain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a viruskill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria