Definition of "germinal" in English

adjective

1. Relating to spring

2. Pertaining, similar, or belonging to a germ.

3. (botany) Relating to a plant ovary.

4. (figuratively) Serving as a point of origin; formative.

   • My upbringing was the germinal idea behind the opera.

5. (figuratively) Highly influential; seminal.

   • This case was germinal to development of the theory of joint participation.