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 sheet set is made of incredibly soft (and super breathable) bamboo and is also temperature regulating, a bonus for those of us who run hot while sleeping. —Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

Its bamboo toilet paper, already in the market and on e-commerce platforms, has catered to those who combine sustainability with comfort. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025

Enjoy the warm, crisp sound of vinyl with this bamboo finish record player. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Nov. 2025

This bamboo fleece hoodie is definitely meeting the moment. —The Atlantic, 19 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