stem

noun

ˈstem 

plural stems

1

a

: the main trunk of a plant

specifically : a primary plant axis that develops buds and shoots instead of roots

b

: a plant part (such as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another (such as a leaf or fruit)

c

: the complete fruiting stalk of a banana plant with its bananas

2

a

: the main upright member at the bow of a ship

b

: the bow or prow of a ship compare stern

3

: a line of ancestry : stock

especially : a fundamental line from which others have arisen

4

: the part of an inflected word that remains after the inflected part is removed

strength is the stem of strengths

also : root sense 6

5

: something held to resemble a plant stem: such as

a

: a main or heavy stroke of a letter

b

: the short perpendicular line extending from the head of a musical note

c

: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward

d

: the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (such as a goblet)

e

: a shaft of a watch used for winding

stemlike

ˈstem-ˌlīk 

adjective

a stemlike part

stemlike roots

see also:

from stem to stern

Examples of stem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The crown is the point where the root system meets the above-ground stem. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026

If stems get leggy in the heat of summer, cutting them back can boost blooms. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

Hull the strawberries by inserting a paring knife into the stem end and twisting (alternatively, slice off the top to remove the stem). —Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026

Well, those folks might have a much more loving relationship with the Aether valve stem, which does away with a traditional Presta valve's problematic core. —New Atlas, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to Old High German stam plant stem and probably to Greek stamnos wine jar, histanai to set — more at stand

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stem

• brain stem
• from stem to stern
• main stem
• stem cell
• stem Christie
• stem from
• stem rust
• stem the tide
• stem turn
• stem-winder
• stem-winding

Rhymes for stem

• clem
• em
• femme
• gem
• hem
• phlegm
• rem
• them
• atm
• diadem
• ibidem
• meristem

Kids Definition

stem

1 of 4 noun

ˈstem 

1

a

: the main stalk of a plant that develops buds and shoots and usually grows above the ground

b

: a plant part (as the stalk of a leaf or flower) that supports some other part

2

: the bow of a ship

3

: the basic part of a word to which prefixes or suffixes may be added

4

: something held to resemble a plant stem: as

a

: the short upright line from the head of a musical note

b

: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward

c

: a main or heavy stroke of a letter

d

: the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (as a wine glass)

e

: a shaft of a watch used for winding

stemless

-ləs

adjective

stem

2 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

1

: to remove the stem from

2

: to have or trace a beginning or growth : derive

illness that stemmed from unsanitary conditions

stem

3 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

: to make progress against

stem

4 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

1

: to stop or check by or as if by damming

stem the flow of blood from the wound

2

: to become checked or stopped

Etymology

Old English stefn, stemn "stem of a plant, stem of a ship"

Middle English stemmen "to dam up"; of Norse origin