bamboo

noun

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

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 This topper features a breathable bamboo rayon cover and a ventilated core—both of which translate to excellent temperature regulation and cool sleep night after night. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024 If using bamboo skewers, pre-soak the skewers for 30 minutes. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024 The outer layer of bamboo rayon is breathable and soft against your baby’s skin. Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024 Rising demand for bamboo paper towels coincides with growing demand for other bamboo products. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Pinto advises going with natural fibers such as wool or bamboo cotton blends. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024 Made from premium bamboo fabric, these sheets are hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and eco-friendly, ensuring a comfortable and restful night's sleep. Bethany Braun-Silva, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024 Anybody looking to purchase bamboo bed sheets should understand their options. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 From Your Feed Three-in-One Wrap Dispenser with Cutter Declutter kitchen drawers with this nifty three-in-one bamboo dispenser that keeps plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and wax paper organized for easy access. Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bamboo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bamboo was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near bamboo

Cite this Entry

“Bamboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bamboo. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

bamboo

noun
bam·​boo bam-ˈbü How to pronounce bamboo (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bamboo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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