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'Cede' means to give up or transfer territory or control; 'seed' is a plant seed or the verb to plant or rank competitors.
Side-by-side comparison
"Cede" is a formal verb meaning to give up, transfer, or surrender something, usually territory, power, or rights. It is used in political and legal contexts.
The region was ceded to the neighbouring country under the terms of the peace treaty.
She refused to cede control of the project despite pressure from senior management.
The company ceded its dominant market position after three consecutive years of losses.
"Seed" is the plant embryo you plant to grow something. It can also be a verb: to plant seeds. In sports, seeded players are ranked and placed in a draw.
Plant the seeds in well-drained soil and water them lightly every other day.
The number one seed was eliminated in the quarterfinals by an unseeded player.
That conversation planted a seed of doubt that grew into a major concern.
Common mistake
- •"The country will seed the territory to its neighbour" when meaning to transfer it is wrong.
- •"Cede" = to yield or transfer control or territory to another.
- •"Seed" = the plant unit, the verb to plant, or to rank players in a tournament.
Trick to remember it
- •"Cede" has CE like "concede", "recede", all about yielding authority or position.
- •"Seed" has EED like "feed", "weed", "need", things you plant and tend.
Quick rule
- •"Cede" = to surrender or transfer territory, power, or control (formal verb).
- •"Seed" = the plant unit, to plant, or to rank in a tournament.
Did you know?
"Cede" comes from Latin "cedere" (to yield, withdraw), the same root as "concede", "recede", "precede", "accede", "process". In sports, "seeding" players means distributing the best competitors through the draw so they meet only in later rounds, like planting seeds evenly so none crowd each other out.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She planted a _____ in the garden and watered it every day.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
After losing the debate, he decided to _____ the argument and admit he was wrong.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy