What is the definition of germination in the context of plant growth?

Germination, in the context of plant growth, specifically refers to the process by which a seed undergoes development to grow into a new plant. This process begins when the conditions are right—typically involving moisture, temperature, and sometimes light—allowing the seed to absorb water and swell. The seed coat eventually breaks, and the embryonic plant starts to emerge.

Choosing this answer reflects an understanding that germination is not merely the act of the seed sprouting but encompasses the entire process leading from a seed's dormancy to its active growth as a plant. This includes aspects of physiological and biochemical change that the seed undergoes as it transitions out of dormancy and begins its growth process.