rootstock
noun
root·stock
ˈrüt-ˌstäk 
ˈru̇t-
1
: a rhizomatous underground part of a plant
2
: a stock for grafting consisting of a root or a piece of root
broadly
: stock sense 7b
Examples of rootstock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The species was first introduced into the US in the early 1900s as a possible improved rootstock for commercial pear production or as a potential source of fireblight resistance to be bred into existing susceptible edible pear bloodlines.
—
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024
To this day, all of Europe’s famous grapes grow on vines that have been grafted onto American rootstock to protect against phylloxera.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Many are grafted to combine the ideal flower onto a strong rootstock.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
Do keep an eye out for suckers coming from the rootstock or the trunk and remove them forcibly by wrenching them out to prevent the sucker from taking over and sapping energy from your tree rose.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2023
Munson suggested grafting French vines onto the rootstock of American grapevines, which had developed resistance to the insects over many generations.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Any apple variety can be a dwarf if the tree is grafted to a dwarf-sized rootstock, Mohn says.
—Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
Branches from the rootstock may have a different type of leaf than the branches from the scion.
—oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2022
Bare root fruit trees are made of two parts — fruiting wood grafted onto a rootstock.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021
Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 22 Mar. 2024
To this day, all of Europe’s famous grapes grow on vines that have been grafted onto American rootstock to protect against phylloxera.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Many are grafted to combine the ideal flower onto a strong rootstock.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
Do keep an eye out for suckers coming from the rootstock or the trunk and remove them forcibly by wrenching them out to prevent the sucker from taking over and sapping energy from your tree rose.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2023
Munson suggested grafting French vines onto the rootstock of American grapevines, which had developed resistance to the insects over many generations.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Any apple variety can be a dwarf if the tree is grafted to a dwarf-sized rootstock, Mohn says.
—Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
Branches from the rootstock may have a different type of leaf than the branches from the scion.
—oregonlive, 6 Aug. 2022
Bare root fruit trees are made of two parts — fruiting wood grafted onto a rootstock.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rootstock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rootstock
Cite this Entry
“Rootstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootstock. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rootstock
noun
root·stock
ˈrüt-ˌstäk
ˈru̇t-
1
: rhizome
2
: a root or part of a root to which an aboveground plant part is grafted
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