1
b
: a planting machine or implement
2
: one who settles or founds a place and especially a new colony
3
: a container in which ornamental plants are grown
Synonyms
Examples of planter in a Sentence
She bought a planter to put on their deck.
a wealthy South American planter
Recent Examples on the Web
But over the next few months, contractors will transform the alley into two blocks of pedestrian-only space, lined with trees, planters, benches and lights.
—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The new line features an array of plant stands, faux greenery and planters with almost 30 elevated designs to choose from.
—Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Courtyards and planters invite socializing – or relaxing.
—Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024
In North America, wealthy rice planters whose plantations lined the Lowcountry—a region along Georgia and South Carolina’s coast that includes the Sea Islands—paid a premium for enslaved people from Sierra Leone.
—Joshua Kagavi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
From plates and glassware to furniture sets and planters, there's a lot to get you in the spring spirit.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024
For more inspiring ways to grow hydrangeas in containers, from terracotta pots to window boxes, explore this round up of ideas that includes which companion plants to pair with hydrangeas in planters.
10 of 21
Why Didn't My Hydrangeas Bloom?
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Estimated costs: $2,500, including fence, grass removal, landscape fabric, staples, mulch, plants, planters, soil, rocks, steppingstones, rain barrel, solar lights and decorations.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
In spring, that means an indoor-outdoor storefront filled with daffodils, fritillaria and branches of quince, forsythia and cherry to take home, as well as faux-bois concrete planters, slipware dishes and Easter-table-ready bud vases.
—Nicole Demarco Dalya Benor Caitie Kelly Juan A. Ramírez Monica Mendal Janet Siroto, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The new line features an array of plant stands, faux greenery and planters with almost 30 elevated designs to choose from.
—Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Courtyards and planters invite socializing – or relaxing.
—Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024
In North America, wealthy rice planters whose plantations lined the Lowcountry—a region along Georgia and South Carolina’s coast that includes the Sea Islands—paid a premium for enslaved people from Sierra Leone.
—Joshua Kagavi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
From plates and glassware to furniture sets and planters, there's a lot to get you in the spring spirit.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024
For more inspiring ways to grow hydrangeas in containers, from terracotta pots to window boxes, explore this round up of ideas that includes which companion plants to pair with hydrangeas in planters.
10 of 21
Why Didn't My Hydrangeas Bloom?
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
Estimated costs: $2,500, including fence, grass removal, landscape fabric, staples, mulch, plants, planters, soil, rocks, steppingstones, rain barrel, solar lights and decorations.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024
In spring, that means an indoor-outdoor storefront filled with daffodils, fritillaria and branches of quince, forsythia and cherry to take home, as well as faux-bois concrete planters, slipware dishes and Easter-table-ready bud vases.
—Nicole Demarco Dalya Benor Caitie Kelly Juan A. Ramírez Monica Mendal Janet Siroto, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'planter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of planter was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing planter
Dictionary Entries Near planter
Cite this Entry
“Planter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planter. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
planter
noun
plant·er
ˈplant-ər 
1
: one that plants or cultivates
a mechanical corn planter
especially
: a person who owns or operates a plantation
2
: a container in which ornamental plants are grown
More from Merriam-Webster on planter
Nglish: Translation of planter for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of planter for Arabic Speakers
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