1. A plot of land used for the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, herbs, or fruit.
2. gardens Grounds laid out with flowers, trees, and ornamental shrubs and used for recreation or display. Often used in the plural: public gardens; a botanical garden.
3. A yard or lawn.
4. A fertile, well-cultivated region.
5. 1. An open-air establishment where refreshments are served.
   2. A large public auditorium or arena.

1. To cultivate (a plot of ground) as a garden.
2. To furnish with a garden.

1. To plant or tend a garden.
2. To work as a gardener.

1. Of, suitable to, or used in a garden: garden tools; garden vegetables.
2. Provided with open areas and greenery: a garden community.
3. Garden-variety.

lead (or take) down the garden path

1. To mislead or deceive (another).

[Middle English gardin, from Old North French, from gart, of Germanic origin.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.