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

This simple recipe box is made from bamboo and is spacious enough to hold 4-by-6-inch index cards. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Nov. 2025

Freshware Bamboo Cutting Board Set These 100% bamboo cutting boards come in a set of three different sizes to tackle most kitchen tasks. —Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 2025

Their advanced analytical techniques revealed six non-compliant bamboo products exceeding melamine limits set by European Union regulations. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Notable offers include these Cozy Earth bamboo sheets that were on Oprah’s Favorite Things and a pair of our favorite jeans for 60 percent off at Spanx. —Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 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