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

At Hoshinoya Tokyo, a contemporary ryokan in central Tokyo, omotenashi begins at the genkan, the entryway where guests slip off their shoes upon arrival and staff tuck them into bamboo boxes. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026

After eating, take a walk around the nearby bamboo forest path, then return for time in the onsen. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026

Seasonal decor and practical kitchen items, like bamboo lid organizers, hit shelves on August 12. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

When ready to grill, remove the tofu from the marinade and thread on the bamboo skewers. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

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