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 oldest dates back to 1970 and holds big, gnarly trees grown from 100 percent American irradiated nuts grafted onto Chinese rootstock.
—
Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Workers in a nursery can graft scion wood from a different tree onto that rootstock and a third apple may arise.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
Little Ollie consists of a fruitless olive that has been grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
For smaller trees, select winter-hardy varieties on dwarfing rootstocks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
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Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Workers in a nursery can graft scion wood from a different tree onto that rootstock and a third apple may arise.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
Little Ollie consists of a fruitless olive that has been grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
For smaller trees, select winter-hardy varieties on dwarfing rootstocks.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rootstock
Cite this Entry
“Rootstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootstock. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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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