bamboo

noun

bam·​boo (ˌ)bam-ˈbü  ˈbam-ˌbü 

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

Examples of bamboo in a Sentence

Bamboo grows in the grove near the house.

We cut down some bamboos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chinese companies still rely on furniture heartlands like Shandong and Fujian province, the latter of which is a bamboo producing area. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 July 2025

Prepare the bao buns by steaming them in a bamboo steam basket over simmering water. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025

Food can be stored in glass, stainless steel or bamboo instead of plastic. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 1 July 2025

This includes wearing lightweight and breathable pajamas, and my favorites are the Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bamboo

• bamboo curtain
• bamboo shoots

Rhymes for bamboo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• beaucoup
• bijou
• breakthrough

Kids Definition

bamboo

noun

bam·​boo bam-ˈbü 

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