In tennis, the term 'seed' refers to a player who is ranked among the top competitors in a given tournament. The seed players are the favorites to win the tournament, as they are considered to be the strongest competitors. The seed players are usually selected based on their ranking, performance in previous tournaments, and their overall ability level. Seeding ensures that the most skilled players have an easier route to the championship by avoiding one another in the early rounds of the tournament. This helps to keep the tournament competitive and increases the likelihood of exciting matches.