Definition of "bonsai"

bonsai¹

/ˈbɑnsaɪ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural bonsai or bonsais
1. (countable) A tree or plant that has been miniaturized by planting it in a small pot, restricting its roots, and by careful pruning.
2. (uncountable) The art of planting and growing trees or plants in such a manner.
verb
third-person singular simple present bonsais, present participle bonsaiing, simple past and past participle bonsaied
1. (transitive) To make into a bonsai by restricting the roots and pruning.
  Quotations
  Could I be a father who was, so to speak, bonsaiing his children, trimming urban roots, and then twisting the emerging branches?
  2001, Dennis Parks, Living in the Country Growing Weird, page 50