cultigen

noun

cul·​ti·​gen ˈkəl-tə-jən How to pronounce cultigen (audio)
: a cultivated or domestic organism (such as the kidney bean Phaseolus vulgaris, the dog Canis familiaris, or corn Zea mays) which has diverged enough while in domestication or cultivation from its ancestors or closest wild relatives to be classified as a species, subspecies, or major variety

Word History

Etymology

cultivated + -gen

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cultigen was in 1918

Dictionary Entries Near cultigen

Cite this Entry

“Cultigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultigen. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cultigen

noun
cul·​ti·​gen ˈkəl-tə-jən How to pronounce cultigen (audio)
: a cultivated animal or plant (as the kidney bean) of a variety or species for which a wild ancestor is unknown or uncertain
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