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

Another creation, the carrot bamboo, brings together vermouth, gin, manzanilla sherry, carrot, yuzu, and shiso, drawing on flavors from both Europe and Asia. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

To address this challenge, the scientists turned to bamboo biochar, a carbon-rich material created by heating bamboo biomass with little to no oxygen. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026

In my room, the low slung furniture and soft light made the space feel cozy and intimate as the late afternoon sunlight peeking in over the bamboo framing the attached outdoor space. — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026

Second, swap synthetic clothes for breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo, which wick moisture without trapping odor. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 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