stem

1 of 3

verb (1)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

1

: to make headway against (something, such as an adverse tide, current, or wind)

2

: to check or go counter to (something adverse)

stem

2 of 3

verb (2)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

1

: to remove the stem from

2

: to make a stem for (something, such as an artificial flower)

intransitive verb

: to occur or develop as a consequence : have or trace an origin

her success stems from hard work

stem

3 of 3

verb (3)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

1

a

: to stop or dam up (something, such as a river)

b

: to stop or check by or as if by damming

especially : stanch

stem a flow of blood

2

: to turn (a ski) in stemming

intransitive verb

1

: to restrain or check oneself

also : to become checked or stanched

2

: to slide the heel of one ski or of both skis outward usually in making or preparing to make a turn

Choose the Right Synonym for stem

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen

slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of stem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Reform prospects To stem the flow of capital, the Indian government issued a slew of measures last Friday, including exempting capital gains tax for foreign investors in the Indian bond market. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 9 June 2026

Remove dead or damaged branches, and cut back any woody stems below the damage to a set of healthy leaves. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 June 2026

In these spaces, ticks often wait on the tips of grass blades, plant stems, and tree branches with their front legs ready to grasp onto any host that happens to brush by or walk under overhanging foliage. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026

Recent ceasefire agreements between Israel and the Lebanese government have done little to stem the fighting. —Mick Krever, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English (Scots) stemmen to keep a course, from stem entry 1 (of a ship)

Verb (2)

stem entry 1 (of a plant)

Verb (3)

Middle English stemmen to dam up, from Old Norse stemma; akin to Middle High German stemmen to dam up and probably to Lithuanian stumti to shove

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1724, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive 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

Noun

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

Verb

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