1
a
: a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground
also : the stem of such a plant
b
: any of various sprawling herbaceous plants (such as a tomato or potato) that lack specialized adaptations for climbing
2

vine

2 of 2

verb

vined; vining

intransitive verb

: to form or grow in the manner of a vine

Examples of vine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
About two years ago the legislature passed a bill allowing urban wineries where wine can be produced without vines growing on the property. Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 To manage shape and long vines, light trimming can be done every few months, or do a major pruning once or twice a year. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
Start early to train tomatoes and many vining crops to stakes or trellises. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 This vining plant will choke out other plants and offers good cover for mosquitoes. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vine

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French vigne, from Latin vinea vine, vineyard, from feminine of vineus of wine, from vinum wine — more at wine

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vine was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vine. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
2
a
: a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground
also : the stem of a vine
b
: any of various plants (as a tomato) that resemble vines but lack a special means for climbing

vine

2 of 2 verb
vined; vining
: to form or grow in the manner of a vine
Etymology

Noun

Middle English vine "grape, a climbing plant," from early French vigne (same meaning), from Latin vinea "vine, vineyard," derived from vinum "wine" — related to vinegar, vintage

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