ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : the soil or forest floor upon which seed becomes bedded: as
a. : the surface soil of cultivated land prepared by tillage for the seeding of a crop
b. : a bed usually of fine soil for growth of plants from seeds preparatory to transplantation
c. : a subdivision of a tree nursery for raising seedlings
2. : a place or source of growth or development
must protect and extend our basic research as the seedbed of new advances — J.R.Killian