I. ˈgärd ə n, ˈgȧd- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English gardin, from Old North French, from gart garden, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gart enclosure — more at yard
1.
a. : a plot of cultivated ground adjacent to a dwelling and usually devoted in whole or in part to the growing of herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables for household use — compare kitchen garden , yard
b.
(1) : a tract of land devoted to the raising of crops
the date gardens extend for over 150 miles — Statesman's Year Book
(2) dialect Britain : a usually small field in which a crop is grown
potato garden
(3) : a natural grove
vast gardens of wild oranges
(4) : an area devoted to the raising of animals
underseas gardens in which the oysters are planted — American Guide Series: Connecticut
c. : something that resembles a garden
coral gardens that delight the imagination — J.A.Michener
garden of memories — Van Wyck Brooks
d. : a rich well-cultivated region
a semitropical garden of sugarcane, pineapples, and sunshine — New York Herald Tribune
2.
a. : a public recreation area or park
[the] usually staid Public Garden assumes an air of gaiety as the annual Festival of Arts takes up its stand — C.M.Barss
specifically : an open-air establishment furnished with tables and chairs and serving refreshments — see beer garden , tea garden
b. : a large hall for an indoor athletic contest (as basketball, hockey, racing, boxing), a spectacular show (as of horses, motorboats, flowers), or a circus
coliseums, gardens, and convention halls are springing up everywhere — E.M.Smith
3. slang : the outfield of a baseball diamond
II. verb
( gardened ; gardened ; gardening -d( ə )niŋ ; gardens )
intransitive verb
1. : to lay out or work in a garden : practice horticulture
bought a house in the country so he could garden
2. : to attempt to level an uneven spot on a cricket wicket by patting it with one's bat
transitive verb
1. : to make into a garden : bring under cultivation
the long landscape … gardened into more perfect beauty — Bayard Taylor
2. : to ornament with gardens
a gardened esplanade — American Guide Series: North Carolina
III. adjective
1.
a. : of or relating to a garden
garden gate
b. : used in or frequenting the garden
garden hose
garden toad
2.
a. : of a kind that is grown in the garden especially as distinguished from a more delicate hothouse variety
garden chrysanthemum
b. : of a familiar kind : commonplace
domestic shorthairs as the garden variety of cat is technically known to fanciers — National Geographic
3. : having a garden
garden community