Graft Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of GRAFT

[count]

1

technical

:

a part of a plant that is placed on another plant in such a way that it attaches to and grows with the plant

also

:

the place where such an attachment is made

• You will need to cut off any new shoots that grow below the graft.

2

medical

:

a piece of skin, muscle, or bone that is attached to a part of the body to repair a damaged area

• a skin graft

also

:

an operation that is done to make such an attachment

• perform a bone graft on the patient

Britannica Dictionary definition of GRAFT

[+ object]

1

a

technical

:

to attach (a part of a plant) to another plant

• a type of apple that is grown by being grafted onto/to the roots of a different species

b

medical

:

to attach (a piece of skin, muscle, or bone) to a part of the body

• The surgeon was able to graft skin over the scar.

2

:

to make (something) become a part of (something else)

— usually + onto

• the difficulties of trying to graft modern technology onto traditional societies

Britannica Dictionary definition of GRAFT

:

dishonest activity in which people with power (such as political leaders) use their position and influence to get money and advantages

• The newspaper published a series of articles exposing graft in the city government.

Britannica Dictionary definition of GRAFT

[noncount]

British, informal

:

hard work or effort

• He succeeded because of years of hard graft.

Britannica Dictionary definition of GRAFT

[no object]

British, informal

:

to work hard

:

labor

• He spent years grafting to get where he is today.