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

Muzaffar said that he and his brother, Ali, were taken to a local base, where the soldiers shackled them to chairs and beat them with bamboo rods. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Wicker refers to the method of weaving—most outdoor wicker furniture features materials such as rattan, raffia, bamboo, and willow reeds. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

Their signature pistachio mai tai ranks as one of my favorite drinks in the city, while other offerings include the fig and toasted almond bamboo or the chocolate negroni, adorably garnished with a chocolate orange. —Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025

Two fully outdoor patios allow visitors to bask in the sun (or sunset) and the entire space is wrapped in a trellis, encircling a bamboo bar finished in blue lacquer. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

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