sapling
/ˈsæplɪŋ/
noun
- A young tree, especially one with a slender trunk.
- We planted a small sapling in the backyard and watered it every day.
- The forest was full of saplings growing under the tall old trees.
- A deer nibbled the leaves off a newly planted sapling.
- A young person who is inexperienced or just starting out in life.
- The coach treated the rookie like a sapling, giving him gentle guidance.
- He was still a sapling in the world of politics, but he had big dreams.
- As a sapling in the company, she had a lot to learn from her older coworkers.