bamboo

noun

plural bamboos
often attributive
: any of various woody or arborescent grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundinaria, and Dendrocalamus of the subfamily Bambusoideae) of tropical and temperate regions having hollow stems, thick rhizomes, and shoots that are used for food
also : the jointed stem of bamboo used especially for building, furniture, and utensils

Illustration of bamboo

Illustration of bamboo

Examples of bamboo in a Sentence

Bamboo grows in the grove near the house. We cut down some bamboos.
Recent Examples on the Web The design is muted, with an emphasis on natural, local materials: rope, rattan, and bamboo, alongside rustic linens in cream and taupe, featuring just the occasional nod to the tropical surroundings in the form of a tasteful palm tree print or a splash of mottled green. Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Hidden within a forest of bamboo and pine, bay and oak trees, the 5,380-square-foot house was built in 1900 as a retirement home for a member of the imperial court of Napoleon III, or so Gastou believed. Aimee Farrell, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Outside is a sort of garden-style outdoor shower surrounded by bamboo fencing that is occasionally immodest. Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 They’re made of 70 percent viscose from bamboo, so the breathable fabric won’t trap excess heat under the covers. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 The lyrics are evocative of an exchange student thinking of home, and the modern R&B sound of the song is blended with Japanese instruments such as bamboo flutes and sound effects like railroad crossings and fireworks, painting a picture of summer in Tokyo and a feeling of wabi-sabi. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Begin the day with rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves and peanut sesame noodles at the Palais de Chine Hotel. Laura Manske, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Respect your teas and place them in this gorgeous bamboo tea bag organizer. Michelle Duncan, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Matsumoto and his team set about restoring the trails, and now cyclists are whisked to the summit only to weave their way down, wheels kissing the earth of rejuvenated paths that slice through whispers of bamboo forests and glide past towns steeped in history. Jonny Bierman, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bamboo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bamboo was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near bamboo

Cite this Entry

“Bamboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bamboo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bamboo

noun
bam·​boo bam-ˈbü How to pronounce bamboo (audio)
plural bamboos
: any of various chiefly tropical tall woody grasses including some with strong hollow stems used for building, furniture, or utensils
also : the strong woody stem of bamboo
bamboo adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bamboo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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